Knee replacement may help when joints wear out
Your knee joints are a crucial part of your ability to move comfortably and do the activities you love. As we age, our knees tend to get worn down. This can cause your knees to hurt when you walk which impacts your mobility and quality of life. Knee replacement surgery replaces knee joints to improve mobility, relieve pain, and improve your quality of life. Keep reading to help you determine if it is time to seek treatment and discuss if knee replacement is right for you.
What is a Knee Replacement?
Your knee is where the thigh bone (femur) meets the shin bone (tibia). Ligaments support the joint. A tough, smooth tissue known as cartilage, covers the ends of the bones and allows them to slide smoothly against each other. As you age, the cartilage in your knee wears down, eventually causing the bones to grind together as you move. This can cause the knee to hurt with movement, such as walking or bending. A knee replacement replaces your cartilage and damaged bone with artificial parts made from metal and plastic.
Knee Replacement Surgery: Who is it For?
A knee replacement is recommended when the knee is “worn out” due to arthritis or other causes. This makes it difficult for you to get around, reducing your quality of life. These are the patients we generally recommend for total knee replacement surgery:
- Patients with moderate-to-severe arthritis on Xray
- Daily symptoms limiting activities of healthy living
- Patients who have failed ~3 months of non-operative treatment to control their symptoms
What Risks are Associated with Knee Replacement Surgery?
All surgical procedures have risks. Some risks associated with knee replacement surgery include:
- Infection or wound healing complication
- Blood clot
- Stiffness or instability
The parts used in knee replacement surgery are increasingly durable and may last for 20 to 30 years. If complications do occur or the components wears out, another surgery may be necessary to replace them. Despite the risks and potential complications, 80-90% of patients are happy they had their surgery and consider their quality-of-life improved.
What Happens on the Surgery Day?
The surgery itself takes about 1-2 hours. During the surgery, an incision is made over the front of the knee and the damaged cartilage is removed. Personalized sizing is then determined and any bone deformities corrected. Titanium components are then fixed to your bone and a plastic liner is placed in-between, acting as your new cartilage and meniscus. After the surgery, you will get up and walking with a therapist within a few hours of surgery, and often discharged home the same day.
What is the Recovery Time?
You will be using a walker for about the first week after surgery. When ready, you will transition to using a cane for 1-3 weeks. You are seen in the office for post-operation appointments to check that your wound is healing, and you are progressing with your recovery. After 2 weeks, most patients participate in physical therapy to regain the motion and strength in their knee. It can take up to 3 months to return to 80% function and you can continue to improve as far as mobility, range of motion and function is concerned for up to 1 year after your surgery. Just keep in mind that everyone heals and recovers at a different pace.
Dr. Jonathan Vaux, DO is an orthopedic surgeon serving patients in Boise, ID and the surrounding areas.