Who can undergo knee replacement surgery?

Knee replacement surgery is recommended for patients with advanced joint wear.is being done. The ends of the bones are covered with cartilage, which is a hard, smooth and shiny tissue.  Advanced age, infections, traumas, rheumatic disease, etc. In some cases, wear and tear occurs in the cartilage tissue.  The wear and tear of the cartilage structure and the friction of the bones against each other is called calcification. Although knee prosthesis surgery is generally performed on patients older than 60 years of age, it can also be performed at an early age if there are serious knee problems and severe restrictions in daily life.

Knee replacement surgery can be performed in the following cases:

• The most common cause of knee joint deterioration isin unknown primary knee wear,

• In rheumatic diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis,

• In trauma and fractures that disrupt the knee joint,

• Knee joint wear and tear resulting from deterioration of the knee joint due to infections,

• Knee prosthesis surgery can be performed in cases where other treatments do not yield results, such as pain caused by the deterioration of the knee joint, limitation of movement, friction, noise in the knee, difficulty in walking.

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How is knee replacement surgery performed?

• Knee replacement surgery can be performed with general anesthesia or waist anesthesia (spinal or epidural) anesthesia technique.

• Knee replacement surgery active surgery time is 45 minutes to 1.5 hours.  However, when procedures such as entering the operating room, anesthesia preparation and waking up the patient are added, it is a surgery that takes 2-3 hours in total.

• Knee replacement surgery is performed with open surgical technique. It is not possible to perform this surgery with a closed technique under any circumstances.

• During the surgery, first the damaged, worn and worn joint surfaces are cleaned. The section at the ends of the bones is removed and the prosthesis is placed on the bone. In order for the knee joint to function as before, a prosthesis is placed on the femur and tibia. With the prosthesis placed at the ends of both bones, the bones are cut off from contact with each other and the pain is eliminated.

• After knee replacement surgery, 8-15 cm in the knee area. A long scar remains.

• Knee replacement surgery is not a very difficult procedure. With current anesthesia techniques and current surgery techniques, surgical pain has decreased considerably. However, as with any surgery, there will be some difficulties in the first 24 hours. Necessary efforts are made to ensure that the postoperative period is relaxed and comfortable with appropriate pain-relieving treatments.

• After knee replacement surgery, patients can stand up and walk on the day of surgery, or the next day if there is extreme pain. After the surgery, you stay in the hospital for 3-4 days and discharge is planned after being taught the exercises.

 

Are there any risks to knee replacement surgery?

As with every surgery, knee replacement surgery has some risks. Before performing knee prosthesis surgery, the patient is subjected to necessary examinations and examinations by internal medicine, cardiology and anesthesiologist, and precautions are taken against any adverse events that may occur during the surgery. The main risks of knee replacement surgery are:is:

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• Infection: It is one of the most common and undesirable risks after knee prosthesis surgery. In this case, you may need to receive inpatient antibiotic treatment and additional surgeries such as washing, removing or replacing the prosthesis.

• Clot formation in the veins: Clot formation in the veins may rarely occur due to the patient's inactivity during the surgery and the operation. To prevent this, the patient is walked immediately after surgery and treatments to prevent clot formation are applied.

• Wearing or loosening of the prosthesis: This may occur in the long term after the operation and if the recommendations are not followed.

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What should be taken into consideration after knee replacement surgery?

The quality knee prostheses we currently use have a lifespan of 20-30 years. In order for the knee prosthesis to be used without any problems for many years, we recommend that the patient comply with the following rules:

• Walking with a cane is recommended for 2 weeks after knee replacement surgery.is being vilified.

• The muscles have weakened because they were not used in the preoperative period. For this reason, walking and exercises should be given importance in the first 6 months.

• Avoid squatting and sitting cross-legged for long periods of time, which could strain the knee prosthesis.  

• Activities such as not praying or sitting cross-legged should be avoided.

• It is appropriate for patients to use a European toilet if possible.

•  The exercises we recommend after the prosthesis we apply must be done correctly and appropriately.

• You can easily do activities such as walking, swimming, running, cycling. In order for the knee prosthesis to last longer, it is important to do regular sports.  

• You should pay attention to weight control after surgery. The lifespan of prostheses is shortened in obese patients.

• Pay attention to the hygiene rules that will protect your body from infections. Pay attention to your dental health, go to your dentist regularly and brush your teeth twice a day.

• Avoid the thought that your daily life will be restricted after the surgery. Knee prosthesis surgery is performed to make your daily life more comfortable and to improve your quality of social life.

• In case you need another surgery, inform your doctor that you have had knee replacement surgery.

 

Can two knee prostheses be performed in the same surgery?

In both directoriesIn patients with knee joint problems, knee prosthesis surgery can be performed on both knees in the same surgery. In this way, the patient does not experience the stress of having two surgeries.  Some conditions are taken into consideration for this surgery to be performed:

• Two additional knee replacement surgery patients with no weight problemsIt is preferred in patients who do not have any diseases (coronary artery disease, diabetes, etc.).

• Patients should ideally be under 70 years of age.

• More blood needs to be used in these surgeries. For this reason, attention should be paid to blood preparation before the operation.

• After two knee replacement surgeries, it takes some time for patients to return to daily life.

 

I don't want to have knee replacement surgery, what should I do?

There is no alternative to knee replacement surgery. However, some methods can be tried for those who do not want to have this surgery or to delay it:  

• Physical therapy and rehabilitation practices

• Intra-joint injection treatments

In patients with early stage wear, these treatments may provide relief for the patient for a while. However, it should not be forgotten that the disease is a progressive disease.

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I had knee replacement surgery. Can I have CT and MRI?

Knee prostheses used in surgeries for the last 20 years are compatible with Magnetic Resonance (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT). For this reason, there is no harm in having a CT or MRI.

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For other questions or to be examined  for Op. Dr. You can reach Sefa Kösem.