Are you or a loved one dealing with persistent knee pain that is making life hard? If your answer is in the affirmative, you are not the only one. Knee issues are on the rise, with approximately 528 million people globally suffering from osteoarthritis in 2019; pointing to a rise of 113% since 1990.
Knee issues can have a significant negative impact on your quality of life. However, the good news is that modern advancements in the medical field have introduced several options in knee surgery. Each has its own benefits and eligibility criteria.
How to know which knee surgery would be ideal for you? Let us learn about various types of knee surgery, their respective advantages, and how to select the best one according to your knee condition.
Types of Knee Replacement Surgeries
Total Knee Replacement (TKR)
When people think of knee surgery, they generally have total knee replacement (TKR) in mind. And rightly so. TKR is the most common knee surgery. For patients who have severe and chronic knee pain due to advanced arthritis or some other condition, total knee replacement is the best option.
What Happens in TKR?
Advanced stage osteoarthritis means the entire knee (all three compartments) have got damaged. In TKR, your orthopaedic doctor replaces all parts of the knee with artificial implants. They remove the damaged cartilage and bone to place implants at the ends of your thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia), along with a plastic spacer between the two – as cushioning to ensure smooth movement.
Who is TKR for?
- Patients with severe osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or traumatic injury.
- People experiencing swelling, stiffness, and restricted movement.
Why Choose TKR?
TKR can be a life-transforming solution for patients of knee pain. You are likely to experience significant reduction in pain and considerably improved mobility. Quality of life gets enhanced as you can once again get back on your feet. Start walking, climbing stairs, and doing routine activities comfortably. Feel confident and be independent after TKR at Sohana Hospital.
Partial Knee Replacement (PKR)
Not every patient requires a total knee replacement. Some patients have damage restricted to just one part of the knee. Here is when you can get a partial knee replacement. If you have damage in only one compartment of the knee – medial compartment (inner side) or lateral compartment (outer side), PKR could prove to be a good option.
What Happens in PKR?
In a Partial Knee Replacement surgery, doctors replace only the damaged component (compartment) with an artificial implant. Less bone is removed as compared with total knee replacement. Incisions (cuts) are also smaller, paving the way for faster recovery.
Who is PKR for?
● Patients with localised arthritis or damage in only one compartment of the knee.
● Younger people who still have a good range of motion, and want to lead an active life.
Why Choose PKR?
Partial Knee Replacement, being less invasive, typically has a shorter recovery time. Also, the knee retains the natural feel, and you can lead a comparatively active lifestyle. If you have pain in only one part of your knee while the remaining knee is alright, PKR at Sohana Hospital may be the best option for you.
Kneecap Replacement (Patellofemoral Arthroplasty)
Patellofemoral Compartment is the front part of the knee, where the kneecap meets the thigh bone. If your knee pain is restricted to the front part of the knee, especially around the kneecap, a kneecap replacement surgery might be suitable. In medical terminology, it is known as Patellofemoral Arthroplasty.
What Happens in Patellofemoral Arthroplasty?
In this surgery, orthopaedic specialists replace the damaged kneecap and its joint surface with a prosthetic implant. The rest of the knee remains intact.
Who is Patellofemoral Arthroplasty for?
● Individuals who have kneecap arthritis or injury.
● Those who have pain in the front part of the knee.
Why Choose Patellofemoral Arthroplasty?
Kneecap replacement surgery at Sohana Hospital can be your best bet if there is discomfort only in the kneecap. The surgery involves smaller incisions, saves most of the knee structure, and offers faster recovery.
Revision Knee Replacement
Knee replacements typically last around 15-20 years or more. However, in some cases, a knee surgery done years ago may need to be revised or updated. This is when your doctor may recommend a Revision or Complex Knee Replacement Surgery. It is a sophisticated surgery meant for patients whose previous knee replacement failed or implants wore out.
What Happens in a Revision Knee Replacement?
Your surgeon will remove the old implants to replace them with new ones. As compared to a fresh knee surgery, revision surgery is often more complicated. The reason is that in addition to replacing the worn-out knee parts, the surgeon may also have to repair or rebuild the surrounding bone to ensure proper placement and alignment of the new implant.
Who is Revision Knee Replacement for?
● Patients whose knee implants have worn out, loosened, or developed other problems over the years.
● If previous surgery did not turn out to be successful.
Why Choose a Revision Knee Replacement?
If you are facing problems with your previous knee replacement due to any reasons, a revision surgery at Sohana Hospital could set things right for you.
Choosing the Right Knee Surgery
Which surgery will be the best for you? The answer depends on several factors, such as the magnitude of your knee damage, your age, your lifestyle, how active you are, and general health.
How to Decide it’s Time to Get Your Knees Replaced?
- You have persistent knee pain: Pain does not subside even during sleep.
- Simple activities turn challenging: You find it hard to walk, stand, climb stairs.
- Arthritis has caused severe knee damage: It may be rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or post-traumatic arthritis.
- Swelling, inflammation, or stiffness in the knees: Knees lose flexibility and range of motion due to stiffness or swelling.
- Conservative treatments failed to give relief: Pain-killers, physical therapy, injections proved ineffective.
- Imaging tests show damage: X-rays and other imaging tests reveal considerable deterioration in the knee joint or bone.
Conclusion
Knee replacement can be a life-transforming solution to knee pain. However, you should understand the options in knee surgery. If knee pain is disrupting your life, consult a knee specialist in Chandigarh to determine the best knee surgery for you. With the right advice and treatment, you can say goodbye to knee pain and get back to living a normal life once again.