In orthopedics, a procedure is often used to replace part of a damaged joint. However, unlike hip arthroplasty, which is uneventful and well tolerated, knee replacement is more difficult and may cause complications such as:
- infectious processes at the site of implant placement;
- displacement of the prosthesis;
- in the patella, a tear or tear of the ligament is possible;
- thrombosis in the lower leg;
- violation of the integrity of the femur (fracture).
Because of these kinds of complications, people leave such dissimilar reviews. In this case, knee arthroplasty can pass without any difficulties.
It is worth noting that 10 years ago there were more patients with various complications after this method of joint replacement. Everything has improved over time.- this is an improvement in the quality of the prosthesis itself, as well as the very process of the operation. An important function in recovery is performed by the rehabilitation period and a set of necessary exercises for a speedy recovery. These factors greatly reduced the likelihood of problems in the postoperative period.
When is joint replacement necessary?
The knee joint is a joint of a complex condylar type, the bone parts of which are covered with protective cartilage, consisting of collagen and chondrocyte fibers, the germ layer and the ground substance. Thanks to the articular cartilage and the substance it secretes, the necessary movements occur. The synovial membrane covers all articular surfaces, thanks to its assistance, the necessary fluid is produced to prevent friction in the joint.
Due to various diseases, degenerative processes of the articular cartilage begin, hence the change in the shape and direction of the knee. In the presence of such diseases at the initial stage, it is necessary to carry out drug treatment, which will improve the condition of the cartilage and remove the inflammatory process.
In the later stages, when cartilage destruction and friction are already taking place, in this case, knee replacement surgery is recommended by installing a metal or plastic implant in place of the destroyed joint.
Indications for implantation
- Deformation of the joint with age.
- Deformation of the joint, accompanied byinflammation.
- Injury.
- Dysplastic arthrosis.
- The presence of a dead area in the joint.
Potential patients are people who have:
- Restriction of movement with persistent severe pain.
- Significant change in the shape of the joint.
Common causes
- Common cases of loss of normal functioning of the knee joint are characteristic diseases. This is arthritis after an injury, fracture, rupture or sprain and others.
- With rheumatoid polyarthritis, inflammation and thickening of the synovial membrane occurs, due to which the active production of joint fluid begins, which leads to the destruction of the joint.
- The appearance of osteoarthritis in the elderly, which is characterized by deterioration of mobility and wear of the joint.
What are the benefits of implanting an artificial joint?
Knee replacement surgery is performed to relieve or completely eliminate pain for up to fifteen years. An artificial implant is inserted instead of the destroyed joint, similar and anatomically suitable.
After successful knee surgery, patients report increased range of motion. The quality of life changes dramatically. Therefore, many people leave positive reviews. Endoprosthetics of the knee joint in most cases passes without complications, which leads to a quick recovery of the person and a return tohabitual life.
Complications associated with arthroplasty
Knee surgery is also associated with a number of risks, as with any other surgical intervention. Such risks include blood loss, exacerbation of chronic diseases, thrombosis in the lower extremities, infectious processes at the implant site and in the urinary tract are possible in elderly people. This has become rare lately.
One of the worst options is the formation of an infectious process, the treatment of which is quite difficult and very expensive. Often, with a complication of this kind, only the removal of a foreign body from the body, in this case, an endoprosthesis, can help. There is a percentage of people who are more susceptible to infection than others, these include those with rheumatoid arthritis, overweight, patients who need to take hormone drugs.
Lifetime
The installed prosthesis can last up to fifteen years, in some cases even longer, however, with wear and tear and when the implant is loosened, a second operation on the knee joint is possible, that is, replacement or re-endoprosthetics. In case of pain before the expiration of the ten-year period or loosening, surgery is also necessary.
Arthroplasty process
Duration of implant surgery can be 2-3 hours. Before surgery, mandatory prevention of the appearance ofinfections. Before the operation, the patient is given spinal anesthesia.
To install the endoprosthesis, it is necessary to remove the destroyed part of the joint and the patella, the doctor also aligns the curved axis of the leg, and if necessary, restores the ligaments.
Modern prostheses, made from high-quality and non-corrosive materials, allow the leg to bend up to 150 degrees. Some after the operation left positive feedback. Endoprosthesis replacement of the knee joint makes it possible to bend the knee by 75 degrees already before discharge. However, one should never forget about the rehabilitation period, without which the treatment will not be complete.
It will be important to remind you that the operation in most cases takes place under local anesthesia, that is, in the waking state. However, you can express your wish to the anesthetist or surgeon that you are given general anesthesia, if possible. You have to be very brave and patient to calmly listen to the sounds that accompany the endoprosthetic procedure.
Post-op period
After the operation, the lack of sensation and functioning of the lower extremities is considered the norm. During the intervention, the patient loses a large amount of blood, blood substitutes are transfused, the necessary medicines for pain relief and antibiotics are administered.
Then, for several days, the state of the patient's vital signs (heart rate, pressure, ECG, change inblood counts).
If there is no deterioration and normalization of the condition, the patient is transferred in a day from intensive care to a simple ward.
Rehabilitation after knee arthroplasty
After installing the endoprosthesis, the rehabilitation period lasts an average of about 3 months, but it can be longer, it depends on the patient's condition.
A mandatory recommendation is daily exercise and exercise after knee arthroplasty to restore its functioning.
Most often, the patient spends the rehabilitation period in a specialized clinic (about one month).
Stages of the rehabilitation period
After the operation, the patient must stay for about two months in the clinic and perform the set of exercises indicated by the doctor. With an increase in the pace, an improvement in the motor activity of the joint will be observed, which will lead to a quick return to the usual course of life. Discharge from the clinic is also possible.
After staying in a rehabilitation center (in 2-3 months), the patient is recommended to continue physical activity in the form of swimming, walking and yoga sessions. It is worth remembering that excessive physical activity is contraindicated.
Recovery Exercises
Rehabilitation after knee arthroplasty includes a set of exercises that help overcome stiffness of movement, increase muscle strength in the joint, and reduce pain.
Start withsmall paces and loads, gradually moving to more complex ones, according to the correction of the physiotherapist. It is recommended to avoid sports that are too active so that it is not traumatic for the new joint.
A set of necessary exercises for daily performance (4-5 times a day):
- Ankle joint - flexion-extension with a gradual increase in pace, starting at 5 and reaching 12.
- Contract the anterior thigh muscles for 5 seconds.
- Contract the hamstrings for 5 seconds.
- Raising the leg in a straightened state.
- Stretch the buttock muscles for 5 seconds.
- Extension-flexion of the lower limb at the knee joint.
- Take the hip to the side.
- Raise the straightened leg to the level of 45 degrees and hold it in a suspended position for up to 5 seconds.
- Swing the leg in a straightened state to the level of 45 degrees and hold in this state for up to 5 seconds.
- Using the Dikul apparatus.
Contraindications for prosthetics
Absolute contraindications:
- Self-travel is not possible.
- Heart disease and CVS.
- Thrombogenesis with inflammation.
- Pathological disorder of respiratory function, chronic respiratory failure.
- Infectious processes.
- Sepsis.
- Allergy.
- Neuromuscular pathologies.
- Mental disorders.
ViewsEndoprostheses
Modern dentures have a protective function and are divided as follows:
- total;
- prosthesis directly on the surface of the joint;
- bipolar;
- single-pole.
The prosthesis is fixed in several ways:
- cement;
- hybrid;
- cementless.
In order for the implanted prosthesis to serve for a long time, high-quality anti-corrosion and wear-resistant, and most importantly, biocompatible materials are used in production:
- ceramics;
- polyethylene;
- metal alloys;
- bone cement.
To decide on an operation, many people need to analyze various reviews. Endoprosthetics of the knee joint is performed by a doctor taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient's physiology.
Pricing policy
Knee arthroplasty in Moscow, Israel, Turkey, Lithuania, Germany is carried out by qualified specialists who know their business.
There are quite a few clinics that specialize directly in carrying out surgery to replace the joint or its parts, including those performing knee arthroplasty. The cost of endoprostheses corresponds to the quality of the materials of which it consists, and the company that produces it. At the same time, reviews about foreign clinics are often much better (especially with regard to the rehabilitation period). However, in Russia, this intervention is carried out at a highlevel.
Thanks to many years of experience and high qualification, the doctor will select the most suitable biocompatible prosthesis and perform knee arthroplasty without complications. The price of this procedure depends on the complexity of the operation and the cost of the prosthesis.
