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What happens if my
knee gets infected? |
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How is my new knee
different? |
What causes arthritis in the knee?
ANS: Osteoarthritis or Degenerative
Joint Disease - the most common type of arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is also known as “wear and tear arthritis” since
the cartilage simply wears out.
When cartilage wears away, bone rubs on bone causing severe
pain and disability. The most
frequent reason for osteoarthritis is genetic, since the durability
of each individual’s cartilage is
based on genetics.
If your parents have arthritis, you may also get it.
Trauma - can also lead to osteoarthritis.
A bad fall or blow to the knee can injure the joint.
If the injury does not heal properly, extra force may be placed
on the joint, which over time can
cause the cartilage to wear away.
Inflammatory Arthritis - swelling
and heat (inflammation) of the joint lining causes a release
of
enzymes which soften and eventually destroy the cartilage. Rheumatoid
arthritis, Lupus and psoriatic arthritis are inflammatory in
nature.
What is the difference
between total knee replacement and unicompartmental knee resurfacing?
ANS: Knee replacement is removing
the edges of the joint that have been diseased by degeneration
or trauma. Knee resurfacing is like a retread. The only part
of the joint that is resurfaced is the side
of the joint that is diseased.
what is revision knee surgery?
how is it different to the knee replacement?
ANS: Revision surgery is different
in that the original components are removed and new components
are implanted. The technical aspects of the surgery are more
complex than the original total knee
replacement. However, the preparation for surgery and hospital
experience tend to be very similar
to the primary knee replacement.
What happens if my knee
gets infected?
ANS: If a knee is infected the patient is first given
antibiotics. If the infection does not clear up, the
implant will have to be taken out and the patient is scheduled
for revision surgery. The original
components are removed and a block of polyethylene cement treated
with antibiotics (known as
a “spacer block”) is inserted into the knee joint for six weeks.
During this time the patient is also
treated with intravenous (I.V.) antibiotics. After a minimum
of six weeks, new knee components
are implanted.
What are the complications
of knee replacement surgery?
ANS: Any surgery has risks. There are many risks associated
with knee replacement surgery. However,
in the hands of a well-trained, dedicated orthopaedic surgeon,
these risks should be quite low.
It is fair to say that you have about a 96% chance that you
will go through the operation without
any significant complication occurring. The most common complication
is blood clots in the legs.
The most serious complication is infection. The most important
long-term complication is loosening.
How is my new knee different?
ANS: You may feel some numbness in the skin around your
incision. You also may feel some stiffness, particularly with
excessive bending activities. Improvement of knee motion is
a goal of total
knee replacement, but restoration of full motion is uncommon.
The motion of your knee replacement
after surgery is predicted by the motion of your knee prior
to surgery. Most patients can expect to
nearly fully straighten the replaced knee and to bend the knee
sufficiently to go up and down stairs
and get in and out of a car. Kneeling is usually uncomfortable,
but it is not harmful. Occasionally,
you may feel some soft clicking of the metal and plastic with
knee bending or walking.
These differences often diminish with time and most patients
find these are minor, compared to the
pain and limited function they experienced prior to surgery.
Your new knee may activate metal detectors required for security
in airports and some buildings.
Tell the security agent about your knee replacement if the alarm
is activated. Find out more from
your doctor on Special precautions and special exercise programs.
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