The other name of knee replacement is knee arthroplasty. An orthopaedic surgeon performs this surgery to give you relief from pain and restore function in severely diseased knee joints. In this procedure, the surgeon cuts away the damaged bone and cartilage from your thighbone, shinbone and kneecap. Then he/she replaces it with an artificial joint (prosthesis) made of metal alloys, high-grade plastics and polymers. The orthopaedic surgeon will assess your knee’s range of motion, stability and strength in order to determine whether a knee replacement is possible for you. He/she can perform x-rays to determine the extent of the damage. There are different knee replacement prostheses and
surgical techniques available. The surgeon chooses the one suitable for you based on your age, weight, knee shape and size, activity level and overall health. When you suffer from severe pain caused by osteoarthritis, your doctor may suggest knee replacement surgery for you. Before visiting a doctor in person to discuss the necessity of knee replacement in your case, you can have an online doctor consultation in Kolkata. During this consultation, you can tell him/her about your physical problems.
Preparations
You may have to stop certain medications and dietary supplements before your surgery on the advice of your doctor. From the previous night of the day before your surgery, you cannot eat anything. Arrange for crutches or a walker before your surgery as for several weeks after the surgery, you may need to use them. You also have to arrange for a car beforehand as you will have to ride back home after the surgery. For your regular tasks like cooking, bathing and washing clothes, you will need someone after the surgery. You have to make arrangements for that beforehand. You also have to arrange for many other things.
The Procedure
The doctor will give you an intravenous antibiotic before, during and after the surgery to prevent any post-surgical infection. He/she will also administer a nerve block around your knee to numb it. In order to expose all surfaces of the joint, your knee will be kept in a bent position. The surgeon will move aside your kneecap after making an incision about 6 to 10 inches. Then he/she cuts away the damaged joint surfaces. He/she attaches the parts of the artificial joint after preparing the joint surfaces. The surgeon will bend and rotate your knee and test it to ensure proper functioning before closing the incision. The duration of the surgery is almost 2 hours.
Recovery
You have to spend one or two hours in a recovery room after the surgery. You will be taken to your hospital room after that, where you have to stay for some days. You should move your foot and ankle at frequent intervals. This prevents swelling and blood clots and increases blood flow to your leg muscles. The doctor will ask you to slowly increase your activity level and do frequent breathing exercises. You have to visit your doctor for a post-operative check-up after making an online doctor appointment. Try to follow your doctor’s instructions regarding wound care, diet and exercise for a smooth recovery.
