Knee replacement (Arthroplasty)

What is the knee replacement?

Arthroplasty is defined as a surgical procedure that aims at the regeneration of the knee joint after serious injuries. Arthroplasty is often used in cases of advanced osteoarthritis or damaged cartilage after a serious injury that cause acute pain to the patient. The surgery includes the placement of metal prosthetic components that replace the affected parts of the knee and protect the joint.

What is the purpose of knee replacement?

The purpose is the reconstruction of the joint in such a way that it can move naturally, allowing the flexion and extension of the knee without any pain. Until now, the knee replacement surgeries that have been performed so far, have proven that after the surgery, the patient can enjoy again the painless walk that he was deprived of since the first day.

Why proceed to a knee replacement?

Knee replacement is performed after the appearance of the following indications:

  • Acute pain
  • Edema
  • Stiffness
  • Inability to participate in daily activities (i.e. walking, climbing stairs)
  • Poor psychology, due to the feeling of weakness

What are the benefits of a knee replacement?

Today, knee arthroplasty is performed with less invasive techniques, and have many advantages compared to other operations for the following reasons:

  • The joint can be fully controlled
  • Better functional results
  • Reduced time to surgery
  • High probability of success without complications
  • Smaller surgical trauma, reducing the bleeding
  • Significant improvement in movements even after the first weeks
  • Less post-operative pain

 

 

What do we do before a knee replacement?

Before any procedure, the Orthopaedic Surgeon takes the full patient’s medical history. He then proceeds to a physical examination and diagnosis of the condition, and finally the doctor explains to the patient the details of the operation and answers to any questions that may arise. At the same time, depending on the case, the doctor recommends to the patient to take an x-ray or MRI scan to determine the extent of the damage.

How is the knee replacement surgery performed?

The procedure of the knee replacement has the following stages:

1ο Step

The anesthesiologist proceeds to anesthesia which usually is regional ensuring good postoperative analgesia and the possibility of immediate mobilization.

 2ο Step

The Orthopaedic Surgeon makes an incision across the front of your knee. The damaged bone and cartilage of your joint are removed and replaced by metal components. The placement of the implant with precision is of paramount importance and that is the reason why the whole procedure is controlled by a special computer software. The placement of the implants is crucial that is why it must be performed by an experienced and specialized Orthopaedic surgeon.

3ο Step

The closure of the wound ensures the best possible function of the muscles around the knee and thus, a quick recovery.

The surgical procedure usually takes 2 hours.

How long does a patient has to stay in the hospital after a knee replacement?

The patient is admitted to the hospital on the day of the operation and usually can be discharged 2-3 days after the operation. Naturally, if it is considered by the doctor as necessary, the patient may need further monitoring. In this case, the patient might need to stay in the hospital longer.

What are the steps after surgery?

The patient after a total knee arthroplasty should be monitored by a physiotherapist who will suggest the appropriate treatment and exercises that will allow him to return quickly to his daily activities. In the beginning, intense physical activity and sudden moves should be avoided.

Can there be complications after knee replacement?

Knee replacement is a safe procedure that allows the patient to participate in daily activities without feeling any pain. Infection of the wound is one of the rare complications that may complex the operation.

Orthopaedic Surgeon Petros Bountogiannis has many years of experience in surgical procedures such as the knee replacement and can answer all the questions you may have about this procedure. He emphasizes on a personalized experience taking into consideration the needs of each patient.