Knee joint replacement
Knee joint replacement surgery aims to treat cartilage erosion in the knee joint, which often occurs as a result of chronic arthritis (Arthritis), and the operation depends on replacing the affected joint with another artificial joint.
Risks of performing the operation
Knee replacement surgery is associated with some risks, which are as follows:
Infection in the surgical incision.
bleeding.
Scars in the incision area.
Severe drop in blood pressure.
Damage to the nerves surrounding the joint.
Ligament or muscle damage.
Fat embolism.
Before knee replacement surgery
The patient is sent for tests that vary according to the patient's age and the diseases he suffers from, such as: comprehensive blood count examination, blood chemistry, blood clotting, urine examination, kidney and liver function, ECG examination, and chest x-ray.
The doctor sends the patient for an imaging examination of the knee using X-rays, computed tomography of the knee, and magnetic resonance imaging.
The surgeon must be consulted regarding the medications that must be stopped from taking in the days before the operation, and complete fasting must be done for 8 hours before the operation.
During the procedure
After anesthesia and complete sterilization of the area, an incision 8-12 cm long is made in the front part of the knee, and then the surgeon removes excess cartilage and bone tissue that puts pressure on the knee joint.
The artificial joint is then attached to the femur and tibia using a suitable adhesive. The artificial joint is then attached to the knee muscles and ligaments supporting the joint to obtain movement performance in the joint similar to the natural position.
After the operation
The patient remains in the hospital for several days after the operation to ensure that his condition stabilizes, and pain relievers can be used as needed.
You must immediately go to the doctor in cases where some symptoms appear, such as: severe pain, loss of sensation, headache, high body temperature, and bleeding from the wound.
The pain disappears completely after several weeks of the operation, and the patient is advised to walk on the foot gradually while avoiding bending the knee joint.
Reasons for knee joint replacement
Osteitis, which is the main reason for knee joint replacement.
Rheumatoid arthritis.
Thinning of cartilage.
Bone dysplasia.
Gout.
He suffers from a knee injury.
Deformity of the knee joint.
Death of bone tissue in the joint due to lack of blood flow.
Persistent pain and limited movement, and physical therapy and steroid injections fail to improve the condition.
Complications of knee joint replacement
Inflammation of the wound, and the inflammation reaching the internal tissues and bones.
Bleeding in the knee joint.
Injury to a ligament, artery, or nerve during surgery.
Suffering from a stroke in one of the legs.
Bone fracture around the artificial joint.
Growth of bone tissue around the artificial joint and its effect on its movement.
Numbness at the wound site.
Incorrect position of the patella.
Suffering from allergies due to the materials used in manufacturing the replacement joint.
How to remove a knee joint
Knee resection is performed under general anesthesia. An incision is made across the knee, removing the damaged part of the joint and replacing it with an artificial joint. The wound is then closed with surgical stitches.
Types of knee joint resection operations:
Complete resection of the knee joint: It is the most common, and the surfaces that connect the femur and shin bone to the joint are removed.
Partial knee resection: This surgery requires a smaller incision, and can only be performed after ensuring the integrity of the knee ligaments.
Patellar replacement: The lower surface of the kneecap is removed, and doctors do not recommend performing it because the success rates for complete removal are higher.
Complex (compound) knee joint replacement: This procedure is used in cases where the knee joint has previously been replaced.
The procedure takes two hours, and the artificial joint can last for twenty years.
