How is a Knee Replacement Surgery Performed?
A knee replacement surgery has become one of the most popular ways to restore the health of your knees and add some vigour to your damaged knee joints. Osteoarthritis is a common cause of wearing of the knee joint. Your knees can also be affected by a sudden accident or damage. A knee replacement Cheshire specialist will provide the right diagnosis. He can help you choose between total knee replacement (TKR) or partial knee replacement (PKR) according to your condition.
Essential Information
You will be admitted to the hospital on the day of the surgery. A senior surgeon or consultant will be in charge of the knee replacement surgery. You will be operated either under general anaesthesia or epidural anaesthesia, as your surgeon may deem fit.
You will be visited by the surgeon and the anaesthetist before the commencement of the operation. Feel free to ask any questions regarding the surgery. This will help you to feel confident and better prepared for this experience.
The Surgery
A total knee replacement (TKR) surgery takes anywhere between one and three hours. A cut is made down the front of your knee to expose the knee cap. The knee cap is removed to a side to access the knee joint behind it.
The damaged ends of the tibia (shin bone) and femur (thigh bone) are carefully cut to fit the size of the prosthetic replacement. The prosthesis can be a metal or plastic part that will be positioned in place of your knee joint.
The ends of the tibia and femur are replaced by flat and curved metal plates respectively after which the prosthesis is fitted. Initially, a dummy joint is used to make necessary adjustments.
Special bone cement is used to fix the bones with the prosthesis. Stitches and clips are used to close the wound. Your knee replacement Cheshire doctor will encourage you to start moving as soon as possible to facilitate easy movement of the knee.
A partial knee replacement (PKR) is a less complicated surgery using a smaller incision. The surgery requires a shorter hospital stay and recovery period. But this surgery is suitable only in cases where the damage is not extensive.
If you require a knee replacement surgery, contact us at My Knee Doc, the knee replacement Cheshire expert. Call 01925 215018 to fix an appointment with us today.