Arthroplasty, or knee replacement surgery, is a procedure that is carried out when an artificial joint is implanted to replace a damaged or diseased knee. The surgery may be necessary for adults of all ages, but it’s most commonly carried out on older adults between the ages of sixty and eighty. However, there’s an increasing number of people who are receiving this operation at a younger age.
Knee replacement surgery is usually required when the knee joint has damage or wear to the extent where mobility is reduced and pain is experienced, even when resting. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common reasons for knee replacement surgery, along with conditions such as gout, hemophilia, and rheumatoid arthritis. Since the procedure is major surgery, it’s usually only offered when all other treatment options have been exhausted.
When You May Be Offered Knee Replacement Surgery:
You may be offered knee replacement surgery if you are experiencing knee pain that is so severe it interferes with your quality of life, ability to move, and ability to sleep. It’s also an option if you have found that everyday tasks, such as bathing, shopping or driving have become extremely difficult or impossible. If you’re no longer able to work or have a normal social life and have become depressed due to your pain and lack of mobility, knee replacement surgery could be an option for you.
Total Knee Replacement:
Total knee replacement is when both sides of your knee joint are replaced by an artificial joint. This is the most common form of knee replacement surgery. Your surgeon will replace both the surfaces of the thigh bone and shin bone which connects to the knee. Because it is quite an expensive procedure, you may consider medical tourism for total knee replacement. Check out the knee replacement Thailand price to see how it compares with local practitioners.
Partial Knee Replacement:
This is an option for patients with arthritis that only affects one side of their knee. However, bear in mind that even if it’s only one side of your knee that’s affected, you will need to have strong knee ligaments in order to be considered.
Kneecap Replacement:
This type of knee replacement surgery involves the replacement of only the under-surface of the kneecap. However, it’s worth being aware that many surgeons will advise against this procedure, as total knee replacement tends to have a much higher success rate in comparison.
Complex or Revision Replacement:
If you have very severe arthritis or have already undergone any kind of knee replacement surgery in the past but are still experiencing pain and discomfort, you may require complex or revision replacement. This could involve making repairs to a current artificial joint or replacing it altogether with another one.
How Long Can I Expect it to Last?
When doctors first started carrying out knee replacement surgery in the early 1970s, the artificial joints at the time would last around a decade. Today, implants typically last around twenty years or even more. And by 2030, it’s estimated that doctors will perform around 450,000 replacement surgeries every year.
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