Introduction

Knee Arthritis is the commonest condition affecting elderly people, causing pain, Swelling, deformity and difficulty in walking. Most of the time Arthritis is due to the ageing process (Osteoarthritis), but even the disease like Rheumatoid Arthritis can painful Arthritic knee.

Know your Knee Joint :

The Knee joint is consists of three bones.
1. Femur – Lower end of the thigh and
2. Tibia – Upper end of the leg
3. Patella (Knee cap). Joint surfaces are covered with smooth glistening lining called as a Cartilage. With advancing age or disease process like Rheumatoid Arthritis the cartilage is destroyed. This results in rubbing of bones on each other which causes pain on standing, walking and squatting. So the Arthritis (Painful Knee) is due to the loss of bone liner (cartilage) whereas underlying bones are usually normal.

What is done in Total Knee Replacement (TKR)?

1. Knee loint is exposed.

2. Damaged cartilage & bone is removed.

3. Artificial knee joint is fitted over the cut surface with the help of Bone Cement.

Your Questions

1. When do I need Joint Replacement Surgery?

The most important criterion is the knee pain. IF the knee pain is continuos, increases on standing and walking, causing difficulty in daily routine activities ( i.e. avoids going to temple, market, social gatherings etc.) & not well controlled by drugs, local heat, Physiotherapy etc. is the correct time for the Knee Replacement surgery.

2. Can it be managed by any other method?

Non surgical treatment i.e. drugs, Heat, Physiotherapy is effective in early stages of the disease only. Once the cartilage is destroyed, no other treatment is effective.

3. Can TKR be done in patient suffering from Diabetis, Hypertension, Asthma, Heart Diseases?

Yes, but they need to be controlled before surgery.

4. What anaesthesia is used for surgery?

Usually spinal or Epidural or combined anaesthesia is used for surgery.

5. How much time does the surgery take?

Approximately 3 hours including anaesthesia

6. What is the post – operative protocol?

Day – 01 – Ankle foot movement in Bed
Day – 02 – Sitting Bedside, knee exercises
Day – 03 – standing, walking few steps
Day – 04 – walking with walker

7. How long the Artificial joint will last?

Present available knee joint usually last for 12-15 years. The longevity depends on various factors like body weight, Activity etc.

8. Which Activities are to be avoided? / Can be done?

Avoid – jumping, Running, Contact sports, Hiking, Can do Walking Climbing Staircase, Cycling, Driving car, games like Golf, Dance like ballroom dancing can be done.

With special type of knee joint squatting and cross legged sitting is permitted.

9. Can both knees be replaced at the same time?

Yes, Provided the patient is not a high risk patient and his medical condition permits longer surgery.

10. Can I delay the surgery?

Delay in surgery causes more damage to bones. It can make surgery more difficult and complicated.

11. What is Computer Assisted joint Replacement Surgery?

It’s a use of computer Software to make accurate cutting of the bone and exact placement of the prosthesis.

12. How much does the Operation Cast?

The cost of imported implant varies between 70 & 90 thousand. Other charges include Doctor’s professional charges, which very with doctor’s experience and the Hospital Charges etc.