If you are suffering from quality-of-life issues due to arthritis, you’re likely looking for a long-term solution to your problem. Knee replacement surgery could be the life-changing solution you’re looking for.
Here are some key points to keep in mind when discussing the procedure with your orthopedic surgeon.
How It’s Performed
Knee replacement surgery involves your orthopedic surgeon cutting away the damaged area of your knee and replacing it with a prosthesis to address the pain, improve normal knee function, and restore your quality of life.
During the procedure, your orthopedic surgeon will create an incision down the front of your knee to expose your knee cap, which they will then move to the side to get to the joint. Your orthopedic surgeon will then cut away the damaged ends of your shinbone and thighbone and cartilage. Your doctor will precisely measure and shape the ends of the bones to ensure the proper fitting of your prosthetic knee.
Success Rates
Knee replacement surgery has reliably high success rates, with roughly 9 out of 10 patients experiencing immediate pain relief and some 95 percent reporting they are satisfied with the overall outcome of the procedure.
Depending on your age, overall health, and activity levels, your artificial knee could serve you well for over 20 years.
Risks
As with any other type of surgical procedure, knee replacement surgery does have its own potential risks of complications, which can include the following:
o Bleeding
o Blood clots in your legs or lungs
o Continued pain and stiffness- joint pain may still persist
o Implant failure- implant loosening or wearing out
o Infection
o Nerve damage
Depending on your specific health condition, there may still be other risks that could come with the procedure—another thing worth discussing with your orthopedic surgeon during your appointment.
It’s worth noting that your orthopedic surgeon will take all necessary measures to minimize your risk of developing complications.
Determining Your Eligibility for the Procedure
The decision to have knee replacement surgery is between you and your orthopedic surgeon. They will first ensure all conservative interventions have been fully explored and perform a comprehensive evaluation to determine your eligibility. Their recommendations will likely be based on the severity of your condition (i.e., how much it has affected your day-to-day activities) or extent of the damage to your knee.
If you have any of the following conditions, you may not be eligible for a knee replacement:
o Active knee sepsis
o Chronic osteomyelitis (bone infection)
o Severe, untreated/ untreatable peripheral arterial disease in your lower extremities (narrowing or blockage of the blood vessels)
Knee Replacement Surgery in Merriam and Overland Park, KS
At Midwest Orthopaedics, our board-certified orthopedic surgeons have performed numerous successful knee, hip, and shoulder replacement procedures over the course of their career— helping scores of patients feel, move, and live better.
We are glad to introduce the newest addition to our dynamic team: Dr. Thomas Hsing. He is an expert in both primary and revision joint replacement procedures, and he strives to stay abreast of the latest technologies and techniques in this specialty area of orthopedics.
To consult Dr. Hsing or one of our other joint replacement surgeons, call our staff today at (913) 362-8317. If you prefer us to call you instead to schedule your appointment, please use this secure form, and we will get in touch with you as soon as possible.
