Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) is a surgical procedure that removes the knee joint of a patient with severe degenerative joint disease or inflammatory joint disease and then replaces the damaged joint structure with an artificial joint prosthesis. The goal of this surgery is to relieve pain, improve joint function, and restore the patient's quality of daily life. During the operation, the doctor removes the damaged bone and soft tissue, and then places an artificial prosthesis made of metal and plastic into the knee joint to simulate the movement of a normal joint. This surgery is usually considered in cases of severe pain, limited movement, and ineffective conservative treatment, and is intended to help patients restore normal joint function and quality of life.
1.What is Knee replacement surgery?
Knee replacement surgery, also known as knee resurfacing, is a surgical method used to treat serious knee joint diseases. The surgery is performed by removing the damaged knee joint surfaces, such as the articular surfaces of the distal femur and proximal tibia, and sometimes the patellar surface, and then installing artificial joint prostheses to replace these damaged parts, thereby restoring the stability and range of motion of the joint.
Causes of knee joint injury may include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, traumatic arthritis, etc. When these diseases cause severe knee pain, limited movement, joint deformity, and conservative treatment is ineffective, knee replacement surgery becomes an effective treatment.
The surgical process usually involves the following steps: First, make a midline longitudinal incision at the knee joint to expose the knee joint; then, use instruments to perform positioning drilling and osteotomy at the lower end of the femur and the upper end of the tibia; then, measure and install a suitable artificial joint prosthesis, including femoral pad, tibial pad, meniscus and patellar prosthesis; finally, suture the subcutaneous tissue and skin to complete the operation.
The effect of knee replacement surgery is usually significant, which can effectively relieve pain, improve joint function, and improve the patient's quality of life. However, surgery also has certain risks, such as infection, thrombosis, anesthesia risks, surgical complications, prosthesis loosening or failure, etc.
Therefore, before surgery, patients need to undergo a comprehensive evaluation, fully communicate with the doctor, understand the risks and effects of the surgery, and follow the doctor's advice for preoperative preparation and postoperative rehabilitation.
In general, knee replacement surgery is a mature and effective method for treating severe knee diseases, which can bring new hope and opportunities to improve life for patients.
2.What instruments are used in Knee replacement surgery?
The surgical tools include a hexagon screwdriver, a tibial test mold, a thickness test mold, a tibial measuring device, a patellar chute osteotome, a slider, a tibial extramedullary locator, a ruler, a femoral osteotomy test mold extractor, an anesthetic, an intramedullary locating rod, an opening cone, a tibial extramedullary force line rod, a sliding hammer, a bone rasp, a cancellous bone depressor, a tightener, a tibial test mold depressor, a guide, an extractor and a tool box.
3.What is the recovery time for Knee replacement surgery?
Your doctor will give you specific bathing instructions. The stitches or surgical staples will be removed during a follow-up office visit.
To help reduce swelling, you may be asked to elevate your leg or apply ice to the knee.
Take a pain reliever for soreness as recommended by your doctor. Aspirin or certain other pain medications may increase the chance of bleeding. Be sure to take only recommended medications.
Notify your doctor to report any of the following:
1.Fever
2.Redness, swelling, bleeding, or other drainage from the incision site
3.Increased pain around the incision site
You may resume your normal diet unless your doctor advises you differently.
You should not drive until your doctor tells you to. Other activity restrictions may apply. Full recovery from the surgery may take several months.
It is important that you avoid falls after your knee replacement surgery, because a fall can result in damage to the new joint. Your therapist may recommend an assistive device (cane or walker) to help you walk until your strength and balance improve.
Post time: Jan-06-2025
