Knee Replacement

What is Knee Replacement (Prosthesis)?

The operation performed to surgically replace the damaged skeletal structure in the knee region due to various reasons is called knee replacement or knee prosthesis. Prostheses made of metal, plastic or polymer can be used during the application.

The artificial joint is developed to mimic the functions of the normal knee joint. When deciding which prosthesis to use, many different factors such as the patient’s age, activity level, body weight and general health status are evaluated.

With an operation that lasts approximately 2 hours, the old damaged bone and cartilage tissue are removed and replaced with a prosthesis. The recovery and rehabilitation process after the operation may continue for months. The process, also called knee arthroplasty, is one of the most frequently performed operations by orthopedic surgeons.

How is Knee Replacement Surgery Performed?

Before knee replacement surgery, the patient is subjected to a physical examination and medical tests. A detailed health history is taken and blood tests and imaging methods are applied. Information is obtained from the patient about regularly used medications and any food supplements, if any. If the patient is deemed suitable for knee replacement, the surgery date is determined.

The first step of the operation is to give the patient anesthesia. During this time, pain or ache is prevented during the surgical procedure. A long incision is made in the knee area and the skin and muscle tissue are pulled aside. Thus, the bone and cartilage tissue of the knee are exposed. The damaged bone and cartilage tissue are cleaned and the prosthesis is placed in the cleaned area.

Specialized plate and screw applications can be used to fix the prosthesis. After the surgeon completes the placement process, the knee area is closed with surgical stitches. The skin is brought together and wrapped appropriately.

Knee replacement surgeries can be performed as total or partial replacement surgeries. In total knee replacement surgery, both joint surfaces of the knee area are intervened and a full prosthesis is placed. It is an operation that is usually performed within 1 to 3 hours.

In another knee replacement surgery, partial knee replacement surgery, only one damaged joint surface of the knee joint is intervened. Since less bone and joint tissue is intervened during the surgery, a smaller incision is made compared to total replacement.

The patient’s health findings are monitored after the operation. When the effect of the anesthesia wears off and the patient regains consciousness, there may be a slight pain and stiffness in the leg. Pain can be controlled by administering effective painkillers. The doctor may prescribe various medications to control pain and prevent life-threatening situations such as intravascular clot formation due to immobility.

Early mobilization and physical therapy applications are extremely important to control complications. Physical therapy applications are started on the first day after the operation in most patients. In this way, it is possible to support blood flow in the knee area.

Who is Knee Replacement Surgery Suitable For?

Knee replacement surgery is performed to eliminate complaints and optimize the quality of life in people with various complaints. People who experience the following complaints can be considered suitable candidates for knee replacement surgery:

Experiencing severe pain and stiffness at a level that prevents daily activities such as walking, getting up from a chair, climbing stairs, getting in and out of a car
Feeling moderate but constant pain that continues to exist at rest or during sleep
Presence of swelling and chronic inflammation in the knee that does not go away with medical treatment or rest
Emergence of various mental health problems such as depression due to inability to perform daily activities at the desired level

In addition to these conditions, knee replacement surgery may also be considered to resolve problems related to the knee area such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and post-traumatic arthritis that cannot be controlled with current treatments.

The basic criteria taken into consideration when evaluating the patient’s suitability for knee replacement surgery can be listed as follows:

The extent to which knee pain affects vital activities
The person’s age
General health status
The level of damage to the joint and bone structures in the knee area

It is known that knee replacement surgery, especially total knee replacement surgery, relieves pain in the knee area in most people. However, patients may need a certain period of time to get used to the new prosthesis. If physical therapy applications are not interrupted during the recovery period, the recovery process can progress quickly and healthily.

A period of approximately 6 to 12 months is required for the person to fully control their knee after the operation. The aim of physical therapy applications is to encourage the patient to mobilize in a short time. Initially, the patient’s movement is provided with walking aids. When the knee is sufficiently strengthened, it is possible to start moving without support.

After a period of approximately 12 weeks, individuals are usually able to perform many daily activities and exercises. Coordination should be made with health care professionals who provide physical therapy and rehabilitation regarding which practices to perform and which exercises to apply for different time periods of the recovery period.