Maintaining an active and healthy life is essential for anyone, with this surgical procedure a significant improvement in the patient’s quality of life can be achieved, making episodes of joint pain and disability in the past.
The specialists at the Panama Clinic Orthopedic Center will help you recover joint function and mobility so that you can perform your activities without any limitations. Learn more about the procedure below!
Knee arthroplasty, also known as total knee arthroplasty or total knee replacement, is an orthopedic procedure in which both cartilage and other damaged joint structures are replaced with durable artificial components (prostheses).
During the intervention, the specialist is responsible for extracting the deteriorated joint surfaces (cartilage, bones and tissues) through an incision on the knee, to later perform the total replacement of them with plastic and/or metal prosthetic elements, in order to restore normal functioning and eliminate the sensation of pain.
This type of surgery is mainly performed to relieve the discomfort, pain and disability that appear after degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the knee joint.
Knee arthroplasty is mainly indicated in people with persistent joint pain and disability that interferes with the proper development of their daily activities, especially in those patients who, despite receiving non-surgical treatments such as medications, physiotherapy or external knee support, continue to experience pain and functional limitation.
Before considering knee replacement surgery as an option, the orthopedic specialist will evaluate some important factors on an individualized basis, such as: age, type of activity, lifestyle, and overall health, to determine if knee replacement surgery is the best treatment for that particular patient.
Before undergoing surgery of this type, the specialist will thoroughly evaluate your case and perform the imaging tests that he or she deems appropriate. They will also talk with you about the benefits and risks of the intervention, and give you instructions on which medications you should stop taking during the previous days; He or she will probably recommend that you stop using tobacco and alcohol for some time so that they do not negatively influence the recovery process.
If you wish, you can work with a physical therapist to strengthen your leg muscles even before surgery, this could help your recovery and help reduce your hospital time.
As with other surgical procedures, there are risks associated with knee replacement. The most common risk factors are:
Underlying health issues: People with pre-existing health problems, including heart disease or diabetes, are generally at higher risk for complications after surgery.
Obesity: People with high body mass index (BMI) are more likely to suffer from infections and other complications after interventions.
Elderly: After the age of 65, the risk of complications increases.
History of blood clots: People with clotting problems may have a higher risk of developing blood clots after surgery.
Infections: The risk of infection is present in any surgical procedure, they will need to receive additional treatment.
The price of a knee arthroplasty with a total prosthesis can vary depending on the complexity of the procedure, the type of prosthesis to be used and many other factors, so we advise you to contact us directly to obtain an accurate and detailed quote for the procedure and its additional costs.
After a knee arthroplasty, the patient must follow certain postoperative care to ensure a successful recovery. Among the most frequent measures that you can apply at home are:
Movement and activity: Starting to move your leg progressively and walking in a short period of time after surgery is essential to regain strength and mobility of the joint. Physical therapy can have a positive impact during this stage.
Drugs: The doctor will probably prescribe some pain medication, we advise you to take the doses specifically recommended by the specialist.
Wound care: The patient should make sure to keep the wound clean and dry to prevent infection, this includes changing the dressing as per medical recommendations.
Swelling control: The use of ice and elevation of the operated leg are essential to reduce inflammation.
The recovery time for knee arthroplasty with a total prosthesis can vary according to each patient. Patients usually stay in the clinic for a few days for medical care and physical therapy. After medical discharge, these may require several months of exercises and physical therapy to regain knee strength and mobility.
Most people return to their normal daily activities slowly, although they may need to stop those that involve strenuous or high-impact activities for longer.
After surgery, your knee will feel more stable and less painful than it did before the procedure. People experience a notable improvement in the ability to move and perform activities without pain, since the joint prosthesis used in knee arthroplasty is designed in such a way that it mimics the natural action of the knee, which ensures greater mobility and comfort on a daily basis.
The duration of the procedure varies depending on multiple factors, including: the complexity of the surgery, the technique used, and the skill of the orthopedic surgeon. Usually, the average time is 2 to 3 hours.
After knee replacement, there are certain activities that are best avoided to prevent further damage to the newly operated joint. However, we must remember that each person is unique and that recommendations may vary depending on the particular prognosis of each patient.
Among the activities that should be avoided after having undergone knee replacement surgery we can mention:
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