Overview

Total knee replacement or total knee arthroplasty is a surgical procedure in which parts or joints of the knee damaged due to arthritis or an injury are replaced with plastic or metal parts. The knee joint has three parts- the patella, the tibia, and the femur. In total knee replacement, all three components are replaced with prosthetic parts made of metal alloys, high-grade plastics, and polymers.

The surgery is helpful for people suffering from different forms of arthritis, especially middle-aged and people of older age groups. The surgery is also useful for people who had a major accident and injured their knee in the mishap.

Different forms of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, knee deformities, or traumatic arthritis, can lead to circumstances for knee surgery. Such knee situations can lead to inflammation, damage to the adjacent bones, or damage to the knee cartilage.

To avoid such situations and lower the damage caused due to different forms of arthritis, knee surgery works as a boon. The surgery is usually required by middle-aged or older people facing difficulty walking, standing for long hours, climbing stairs, or performing similar activities. In addition, the surgery is also helpful to normalise the life of the individual involved in a major accident causing a knee injury.

It's important to note that not all individuals with knee pain or arthritis require knee replacement surgery. The decision to undergo surgery should be made in consultation with an orthopaedic surgeon, considering factors such as the severity of symptoms, the impact on daily activities, the response to conservative treatments, and overall health status.

When to go for Total Knee Replacement Surgery?

Total knee replacement surgery is typically recommended for individuals who experience severe knee joint pain, stiffness, and loss of function due to various conditions. Here are some of the conditions when total knee replacement surgery is recommended.

- Osteoarthritis is a degenerative knee disease caused due to issues in the knee joints and cartilage. It leads to pain during activities involving the movement of knee joints. For example, the affected individual may experience excruciating pain during activities such as walking, climbing stairs, or other similar activities. Knee surgery involves removing the damaged joint or part of the knee due to arthritis and replacing it with a plastic or a metal part. It helps to bring back the normal life of the operated patient and perform different kinds of activities hassle-free.
- Other Knee Problems- Issues in the knee joints or cartilage caused due to an injury, different forms of arthritis, fractures, or torn ligaments, can also be recovered with the help of knee replacement. Such issues can restrict the movement of the knee and do not allow the individual to have a smooth routine. The surgery helps remove knee pain and allows patients to perform normal activities without obstruction.
- Persistent Pain- Knee pain in middle-aged or older people; knee pain can be a common ageing issue. Still, if the pain is persistent and disturbing, a professional should check the condition to know the root cause. Continuous pain in the knee can happen due to multiple reasons, such as an injury, arthritis, obesity, or other health issues. A total knee replacement surgery helps eliminate the ticking pain caused due to the knee issue.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis leads to chronic inflammation of the joints, including the knee joint. This auto-immune disorder may require total knee replacement when medication and other conservative treatments fail to provide relief.
- Knee deformities: Severe bowing or angular deformities and other structural abnormalities of the knee joint may require surgical intervention, including total knee replacement, to correct the alignment and restore function.
- Post-traumatic arthritis: If the knee joint has been damaged due to a previous injury or fracture, it can develop post-traumatic arthritis. Total knee replacement may be an option if the pain and functional limitations persist despite nonsurgical treatments.

Complications of Total Knee Replacement Surgery

Every surgical process has its set of issues; mentioned below are some of the disadvantages of knee replacement surgery that may cause discomfort to a patient:

- Numbness in Legs- Numbness or weakness of the muscles of the legs can be one of the biggest disadvantages of the surgery. The situation is observed in rare scenarios but can be a disturbing factor. It can happen due to injury caused to the nerves or tissues near the operated area. In the worst scenarios, the operational area may also bleed due to the damage.
- Issues in Replaced Parts- The metal and plastic parts replaced with the damaged parts of the knee may be dislodged or become loose. In such situations, the parts may need a replacement immediately to avoid pain and restriction in the knee movement. Often, the part replaced with the damaged part of the knee may not function as it should, leading to pain and uneasiness.
- Infection- Infection is one of knee surgery's biggest disadvantages or risk factors. The replaced metallic part can be affected by bacteria allowing them to multiply rapidly. Soon, the condition may become an infection, leading to other issues in the operation area. Proper incision site care and timely dressing change are required to avoid such situations.
- Blood clots: Pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) are potential risks following knee replacement surgery. If dislodged, blood clots can form in the leg veins and may travel to the lungs. Compression stockings, medications, and early mobilisation are used to reduce the risk of blood clots.
- Instability or Knee Stiffness: In some cases, patients may experience persistent stiffness or instability in the knee joint, which can affect mobility and function. Physical therapy and additional interventions may be required to address these issues.
- Nerve or blood vessel damage: There is a small risk of injury to nerves during the surgery, which can lead to numbness, tingling, or impaired circulation in the leg.
- Allergic reactions: Although rare, some individuals may be allergic to the materials used in the prosthetic components.
- Persistent pain: While total knee replacement surgery generally provides significant pain relief, some patients may experience persistent or new-onset pain after the procedure.
- Limited range of motion: Achieving full range of motion in the knee joint can be challenging for some patients, and they may have limitations in bending or straightening the knee.

Post Total Knee Replacement Surgery Care

Total knee replacement recovery may take a period of a few months. During this period, the operated patient must be careful about certain points to avoid post-surgery complications. Mentioned below are the points a patient needs to follow after the surgery:

- Avoid high-intensity activities
- Involvement in less energy-requiring activities
- Keep the surgical area clean and dry
- Icing the knee if prescribed by a doctor to lower swelling
- Consult the doctor in case of knee pain or high fever after surgery

When to Consult a Doctor

You can also get in touch with the expert Ortho doctors at Narayana Healthcare based in your city to get immediate attention and medical support during injuries, health disorders or any other health concern.

Conclusion

Total knee replacement surgery helps to lower the knee pain caused due to any form of arthritis or a knee injury. The operated individual can resume normal life and perform activities like walking or climbing stairs without pain.

Reference Links

- https://www.narayanahealth.org/blog/basics-of-total-knee-replacement-surgery/
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/knee-replacement-surgery-procedure