Knee prosthesis is the removal of the worn parts of the cartilage and some of the bone underneath, providing the normal axis of the knee joint and placing various metals in the joint. It is done to imitate regular knee joint movements. The knee prosthesis is covered with two metal parts and reinforced plastic.
Who Should Have Knee Prosthesis?
Doctors apply exercise, medication, and physiotherapy to patients with pain and deformity in the knees. However, if the pain in the knees does not disappear, the joint cartilage will be seriously damaged if activities such as walking and climbing stairs are limited in daily life. Preferably, the prosthesis can be applied if the patient is over 65 years old. Doctors recommend prosthetics at an earlier age in some rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Although the duration of the operation varies depending on the patient, it takes about 1 hour. The patient can meet his personal needs the next day with a crutch.
Knee replacement surgery is generally applied to patients who have severe calcification problems, severe deformation of the knee joint, and other treatment methods that do not benefit.
What Is The Best Age To Have A Knee Replacement?
There is no age limit for knee prosthesis. There is no particular weight or age limit for patients who will have knee replacement surgery. In the past, there was an approach to wearing a prosthesis for people over a certain age, but today this approach has become controversial because it is easier to renew the prosthesis. Prosthetic surgery is actually a relaxing treatment. The prosthesis may be required if the patient’s complaints, examination findings, and radiological imaging require the prosthesis. In young patients, prosthetic surgery due to rheumatic diseases is on the agenda. However, doctors do not apply prostheses to every patient who experiences cartilage wear. Prosthetic surgery should be the last resort if possible. Knee prosthesis actually comes to the fore as a last resort in cases where many treatment methods are not successful.
What Are The Types Of Knee Prosthesis?
The knee prosthesis is divided into half knee prosthesis and total knee prosthesis.
- In a half knee prosthesis, the damaged part of the knee (inner or outer part of one of the valve parts) is replaced.
- In entire knee or total knee prosthesis, 2 or 3 parts of the knee are changed at the same time.
What Should Be Considered After Knee Replacement Surgery?
After knee replacement surgery, “Can I drive after knee replacement?”, “Can I ever cross my legs after knee replacement?” and “Can I run again after knee replacement?” Such questions are among the most frequently asked questions.
Although there are different types and different types of knee prostheses, there are some rules that must be followed after the surgery if the prosthesis, that is, the knee prosthesis, is to be long-lasting.
- Even if the movement of the knee joint is close to normal after the surgery, the patient should avoid long-term squatting that forces the knee prosthesis.
- Actions such as not praying or cross-legged should be avoided.
- The use of Turkish-style toilets by the patients may shorten the life of the knee prosthesis.
- Movements such as walking, running, swimming, playing tennis, and cycling can be performed easily after knee replacement surgery.
- If the patient wants to use the knee prosthesis for a longer time, he or she should exercise regularly. He or she should also pay attention to his weight.
- Praying or other squatting movements are more comfortable in half-knee replacement surgeries. However, not every patient is suitable for half-knee replacement surgery.
- It is crucial for patients who have had knee replacement surgery to tell their doctor that they have had a knee replacement treatment in case of later dental treatment or when there will be a different surgical intervention.
Is Knee Replacement The Most Painful Surgery?
It is normal to have pain after knee replacement surgery. The pain experienced is minimized by giving appropriate doses of drugs before and after the knee prosthesis surgery. While the patient is preparing for surgery, specific medications can be provided for postoperative pain. The pain experienced is also related to the patient’s pain threshold and expectations. Since each person’s response to pain is different, pain is not considered a severe problem.
Knee pain may occur in the first 24 hours after knee replacement surgery and is reduced to a minimum with medications. Despair begins to decrease in the days after surgery. After the stitches are removed 2-3 weeks after the surgery, the patients’ minimal painful period begins. The period when knee movements are comfortable occurs after 4-6 weeks.
Is Knee Replacement Suture Removal Painful?
Dissolving sutures are generally used in knee replacement surgeries. Therefore, there is no need to take stitches. Although rare, in cases where the dissolving suture is not used, the patient does not feel any pain while the sutures are removed with local anesthetic drugs if necessary.
When Can I Walk After Knee Replacement Surgery?
After knee replacement surgery, the patient gets up the same day or the next morning. The aim is for the patient to walk without pain with the prosthesis.
After knee replacement surgery, the patient should use a cane for the first walk. The distance of walking after the operation varies according to the patient.
The patient can climb stairs 1 or 2 days after knee replacement surgery.
Patients are expected to quit their walking sticks and crutches two weeks after surgery.
What Do I Need At Home After Knee Replacement?
Patients are sent home 3 or 4 days after surgery. Under normal conditions, it is healthier for the patient who goes home to meet his own sink or kitchen needs. In addition, it is not appropriate to open the patient’s bed and stay in a lying position all the time. Serving the patient can make it difficult to mobilize. It is okay for patients to go out after returning to their homes. The goal is to mobilize the patient anyway.
How Long Is the Knee Prosthesis Life?
The compressed unique plastic material inside the knee prosthesis rather than the knee prosthesis has a lifetime. The life of the new generation prostheses can be up to 25 years. But here, it is vital to how the patient uses the prosthesis and whether he obeys the rules. For those who have knee replacement surgery, If he or she exercises regularly and maintains weight control, the life of the prosthesis can be much longer.