Knee replacement
About this test
Knee replacement surgery replaces parts of injured or worn-out knee joints. This also is known as knee arthroplasty. During the surgery, damaged bone and cartilage are replaced with parts made of metal and plastic. Knee replacement surgery can help ease pain and make the knee work better. To decide whether a knee replacement is right for you, a surgeon checks your knee's range of motion, stability and strength. X-rays help show the extent of damage.
Why it's done
The most common reason for knee replacement surgery is to ease pain caused by arthritis. People who need knee replacement surgery often have problems walking, climbing stairs and getting up out of chairs. If only one part of the knee is damaged, surgeons often can replace just that part. This is called a partial knee replacement. If the entire joint needs to be replaced, the ends of the thighbone and shinbone are reshaped, and the entire joint is resurfaced. This is called a total knee replacement. The thighbone and shinbone are hard tubes that contain a soft center. The ends of the artificial parts are inserted into the softer central part of the bones. Ligaments are bands of tissue that help hold joints together. If the knee's ligaments aren't strong enough to hold the joint together by themselves, the surgeon may choose implants that can be connected so they can't come apart.
Risks and complications
Knee replacement surgery, like any surgery, carries risks. They include: Blood clots. Surgeons often recommend blood-thinning medicines to prevent this risk. The most common location for blood clots is in the leg. But they can travel to the lungs and become deadly. Nerve damage. Nerves in the area where the implant is placed can be injured. Nerve damage can cause numbness, weakness and pain. Infection. Infection can occur at the incision site or in the deeper tissue. Surgery is sometimes needed to treat an infection. The implants used for knee replacements are durable, but they may loosen or become worn over time. If this happens, another surgery may be needed to replace the loose or worn parts.
What to expect
When you check in for your surgery, you'll be asked to remove your clothes and put on a hospital gown. You'll be given either a spinal block, which numbs the lower half of your body, or a general anesthetic, which puts you into a sleep-like state. Your surgeon also might inject a numbing medicine around nerves or in and around the joint to help block pain after your surgery.
Understanding your results
For most people, knee replacement provides pain relief, improved mobility and a better quality of life. Most knee replacements can be expected to last at least 15 to 20 years. After recovery, you can engage in various low-impact activities, such as walking, swimming, golfing or biking. But you should avoid higher impact activities, such as jogging, and sports that involve contact or jumping. Talk to your healthcare team about ways to stay active after knee replacement.
Disclaimer: August is a health information platform and its responses don't constitute medical advise. Always consult with a licenced medical professional near you before making any changes.