Knee Replacement Surgery

What Is Knee Replacement Surgery?

Knee replacement surgery, also known as knee arthroplasty or total knee replacement surgery, is a surgical procedure done to alleviate knee pain and restore function to the knees that have been damaged by injury or illnesses like arthritis.

What Are the Different Types of Knee Replacement Surgery?

There are a variety of knee replacement surgeries available for people who are diagnosed with chronic knee joint issues. The choice will depend on the severity of the condition, the general health of the patient and the knee specialist’s recommendation.

1. Total knee replacement surgery - This is a type of surgery in which a damaged or diseased knee joint is completely removed and replaced with an artificial one. It is often done to alleviate severe pain caused by arthritis, or if the patient is experiencing symptoms that are already limiting movement and debilitating to his or her daily life.
2. Unicompartmental knee replacement - Known as a partial knee replacement, this involves replacing only one compartment of the knee with a prosthesis. Knee surgeons usually suggest this technique when pain and arthritis are limited to a single compartment of the knee.
3. Kneecap replacement or patellofemoral arthroplasty - This is a type of partial knee replacement that allows the surgeon to rectify the injured knee joint while preserving the healthy parts of the patient’s knee. It is considered as an option for those who have damaged bone and cartilage limited to the underside of the patella and the thigh bone where the patella rests. Knee replacement surgeons utilize this kind of surgery to lessen persisting and substantial pain. Viable candidates for this kind of surgery must have arthritis that is confined only to patellofemoral compartment of their knees.
4. Complex or revision knee replacement - This kind of surgery is geared towards patients who are experiencing severe arthritis and who have already undergone a previous knee replacement surgery on the same leg. Also called “re-operation”, the original prosthesis is removed and replaced with a new one.

How Do I Know If I Need Knee Replacement Surgery?

Knee replacement surgery is advised by knee surgeons to people who suffer from damaged and diseased knee joints, specifically those who are experiencing problems with walking, climbing stairs, standing up from a seated position, and other daily ordinary activities.

Intense and recurring pain that cannot be alleviated by nonsurgical measures are also indicators that one may need a knee replacement surgery. Furthermore, individuals who have stiff and swollen knees and are experiencing knee deformity or a bowing in or out of the knee may also be viable candidates.

What Are the Risks?

Knee replacement surgery is considered a very safe procedure with little to minimal risk in the hands of an experienced surgeon.

What Are Knee Replacement Implants Made Of?

Replacement implants are usually made up of long-lasting, medical-grade metal, ceramic, or plastic materials. The most popular choices are cobalt-chromium-based alloys and titanium, which is biocompatible. Plastic prostheses, meanwhile, typically use polyethylene. There are also cases where implants are made up of ceramics such as oxidized zirconium.

How Long Is the Knee Replacement Recovery Time?

Knee replacement surgery in Singapore has an average recovery time of six months. Returning to normal and physically taxing activities may need 12 months. During this recovery period, patients should adhere closely to their doctor’s instructions, make necessary lifestyle modifications, take their medications as prescribed, and do their physiotherapy exercises as advised; so as to speed up healing.

Seeking Help

The knees are a common area of injury and disease, especially as one ages. Should you experience any persistent or debilitating symptoms, visit an orthopaedic clinic with a knee surgeon who can diagnose the condition and administer appropriate treatment promptly.

Headed by Dr Kevin Koo, The Bone & Joint Centre is an established orthopaedic clinic in Singapore that offers medical and surgical treatments for knee problems. Visit the clinic today for more information.