The largest joint in the human body is the knee. Violation of his work is accompanied by severe pain. In some cases, problems with the knee joint can even lead to disability. Return to normal life in the event of such a disease will help endoprosthesis. This is the name of the operation to replace the joint with an artificial implant.
What indications exist
Such a surgical intervention is carried out, of course, only as a last resort, if it is not possible to achieve improvement by other methods. Typically, an artificial joint is implanted when:
- bone dysplasia;
- severe knee deformity;
- avascular necrosis;
- osteoarthritis;
- hemophilia;
- gout.
Very often, the indication for arthroplasty is old age. The fact is that throughout life, a person’s legs are subjected to constant significant loads. Therefore, the knee joint wears out. Replacementit is very often needed due to the development of arthrosis.
Types of prosthetics
Depending on the degree of damage to the joint during the operation, it can be performed:
-
Installation of a unilateral sliding prosthesis. This procedure is indicated if only the lower or upper part of the joint is damaged.
- Implantation of a rotational prosthesis. Such an operation is prescribed when a patient has ligament instability. The rotational prosthesis is fixed using a special heavy-duty polymer cement.
- Installing a surface substitute. This type of prosthesis is implanted in place of articular cartilage if it is damaged.
- Installation of a hinged prosthesis. The patient is implanted with a special design, made in the form of an axis.
The answer to the question of how much a knee replacement costs will largely depend on the type of prosthesis chosen. Of course, the installation of a one-sided implant will cost less than, for example, a hinged version. In some cases, joint replacement can be performed using specialized prostheses, made individually according to laboratory tests and measurements performed.
How is the preparation for the operation
Arthroplasty is a rather responsible and complicated procedure. The patient must first undergo a complete medical examination. First, it is taken by a doctor. Especially carefully the specialist examines, of course, the knee joint. Replacing it in any case is a rather serious intervention in the body. Therefore, preparation for this procedure should be done very carefully. After the examination, all the necessary tests are taken from the patient. In case of an unforeseen situation, many patients also become donors for themselves. That is, donate blood, which may be needed during the operation.
The general correction of the body is also carried out without fail during the preparatory period. In addition, the patient is sent to the dentist. The fact is that bacteria living in the mouth can enter the bloodstream and weaken the body before surgery. And this can lead to all sorts of complications.
During the examination, the doctor always asks the patient about all the medicines he takes. The fact is that some drugs can cause bleeding during surgery. In addition, patients are sometimes advised to lose weight and stop smoking.
Contraindications
Of course, not all patients can do knee replacements. Contraindications in this case are:
- significantly overweight;
- certain types of chronic somatic diseases;
- some mental illness;
- liver disease;
- malignant tumors.
How the operation is performed
Actually, the arthroplasty technique itself is as follows:
- The patient is being anesthetized.
- A worn out joint or part of it is removed using special medical instruments.
- The prosthesis is being installed.
Two hours - about the time it takes for specialists to put in an artificial knee joint. The replacement lasts quite a long time, because the surgeon needs to remove the bone tissue as carefully and slowly as possible, piece by piece. After the end of the operation, the patient is placed in the intensive care unit. The patient must remain here until recovery from anesthesia. All this time he remains under the supervision of doctors. If no complications are observed, the patient is transferred to the general ward.
Infection is one of the problems that can occur after a knee replacement is performed. After the operation, to avoid this, the patient is prescribed antibiotics. On the second day, the operated person is prescribed physiotherapy. Performing simple exercises, the patient can significantly speed up his rehabilitation.
Post-operative period
The patient is usually discharged home on the 7-14th day. The process of further rehabilitation takes about 10 weeks. If the patient's work is not related to physical activity, he can return to it in a month. It is allowed to drive a car already approximately 4-6 weeks after arthroplasty. In the event that the knee replacement surgery was successful and the patient feels normal, no special recovery measures should be taken. However, some recommendations of the doctor to follow neverthelessneed:
- The leg should never be overloaded. Otherwise, the prosthesis may be damaged and you will have to change it again. The second operation is usually more difficult than the first one.
- Do not engage in active sports.
- You need to reconsider your diet. Nutrition during the rehabilitation period should be as balanced as possible.
- Rehabilitation after knee replacement includes doing restorative exercises at home.
Some time after surgery, patients experience discomfort in the knee. Therefore, they are prescribed painkillers that must be taken.
Operation cost
How much does it cost to get a new artificial knee joint? Replacing this body part is, of course, an expensive procedure. First of all, the complexity of the operation itself affects the price. Also, the cost of prosthetics directly depends on the type of prosthesis used. Of course, saving on such an important element is not worth it. Modern knee prostheses can be made from different materials: special medical alloys, polymers, ceramics. The last option is the most durable. A ceramic joint can last up to 20 years. Ordinary dentures have to be replaced after 10-15 years.
You will have to pay about 140-150 thousand rubles for the implant itself. About 350-400 thousand rubles. - about the cost of a knee joint replacement in Russia. Price for endoprosthetics abroad,of course, much higher. For example, in Israel, the cost of such an operation starts at $25,000.
Knee Replacement: Patient Testimonials
Some people do not have much faith in the possibilities of modern medicine and are afraid to undergo a procedure such as joint replacement. And therefore, they are looking for reviews from those users who nevertheless decided to lie down on the operating table. In most cases, people with artificial joints are advised to do arthroplasty. Moreover, according to the majority, the operation should not be delayed. If the doctor recommends it, you should start collecting money.
As for the location of the operation, the majority of former patients speak well not only of foreign clinics, but also of our Russian ones. There are flattering posts on the Web about Novosibirsk, Moscow, Kurgan, etc. surgeons. Postoperative care, the condition of the wards, feeding in Russian hospitals - all this, in most cases, according to patients, is at the proper level. According to many, the main disadvantage of such a procedure as knee replacement is the price. Of course, 350 thousand rubles for many who need such prosthetics is a lot.
How to get a referral for surgery
Of course, only a doctor can make a conclusion about the need for an arthroplasty procedure. Such operations are not carried out in all cities of the country. The patient chooses the clinic independently. The attending physician only writes the direction. Of course, to reduce costs, it is worth choosing a hospitalcloser to home. But you can also read reviews about certain medical institutions and give preference to the best.
What problems can occur after a knee replacement
If the patient follows all the recommendations of the attending physician, most likely, after the operation he will not have any complications. But sometimes problems still arise. As already mentioned, most often, patients who have undergone an arthroplasty procedure face such troubles as:
- The beginning of an infectious process, which can be acute or chronic. To facilitate or stop its development, you can use antibiotics. Most often, this problem occurs in people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and taking hormonal drugs. In some cases, the infection can be stopped only after the removal of the implanted joint.
- Clot formation. This is a very serious complication that can be life-threatening for a patient who has undergone a procedure such as knee replacement. Rehabilitation of patients is therefore accompanied by the use of anticoagulants, among other things. They should be drunk 2-3 weeks after prosthetics without fail. The separation of a blood clot can lead to a heart attack or pulmonary embolism.
Of course, there is a (albeit slight) risk of rejection of the prosthesis. Also, sometimes after surgery, patients are faced with such a problem as the patellar ligament tear.
Arthroplasty - an opportunity to return to normal life
Firstan operation to replace the knee joint with a prosthesis was made in the middle of the last century. At first, complications in patients were observed quite often. However, in our time, joint arthroplasty in most clinics is a common operation and its technology, as well as methods of postoperative rehabilitation, have been worked out to the smallest detail. Therefore, complications in patients are extremely rare. So you should not be afraid to lie down on the operating table.
