Knee replacement surgery

Knee joint replacement surgery is recommended for those who suffer from severe arthritis pain. Doctors recommend a knee joint replacement surgery usually for patients above 60 years but younger patients may also require a knee replacement surgery if all other treatments options are unable to bring in desired results. In younger patients who undergo a knee replacement surgery the chances of an early wear out are high because of hectic life styles that put additional stress on the artificial knee.

Know your Knee:

Human knee joint is the largest joint in human skeletal system. Knee joint is also referred as "Hinge Joint" because it is able to flex , bend and straighten like a door hinge.Like all bone ends  in the human skeletal system,the knee joint bones are also covered with a layer of cartilage. This cartilage acts as shock absorbing cushion to prevent wear and tear to bone ends because of continuous friction created by movements. In addition meniscus is a unique cartilage  between the joint surface of leg and thigh. Meniscus does not have a nerve ending or blood supply. Meniscus receives it's nutrient from a lubricant fluid called synovial fluid contained within the knee joint. Knee joint bones are surrounded by synovial lining that produces this moisturizing lubricant. In the absence of synovial fluid ( reasons may be due to a damage because of natural ageing or degenerative disease like arthritis or rheumatism ),meniscus is not able to repair itself from the wear and tear of continuous friction of knee movement. Ligaments,which are strong fibrous tissues link the bones of knee joint ,hold them in place,thus adding stability and elasticity for the knee movement.Muscles and tendons also support knee joint movements and keeping them stable.

 What Makes a person need Knee Joint replacement surgery ?

The major reasons for a knee joint replacement are severe arthritis,knee damage due to trauma or injury and knee pain.

Knee Joint Replacement Surgery:

Depending about severity of knee joint condition ,age,requirement of patient various surgical interventions are available to give the best treatment option to patients.

• Arthroscopic debridement is removal of tissues of wear and tear by inserting a telescope in affected knee.
• High Tibial Osteotomy is cutting of Tibia ( shin bone ) at the upper end and re aligning it to distribute the weight on knee joint. This is done for arthritic knees.
• Unicondylar Knee replacement also called partial knee placement is a surgery performed by qualified and well experienced knee joint replacement surgeons ,where only the partially damaged portion of the knee is replaced or resurfaced and knee ligaments and unaffected cartilage is preserved.
• Total knee joint replacement Surgery  is done for usually for patients with rheumatoid arthritis and when the entire knee joint is affected.