BY

HIGH BEAM GLOBAL MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

Knee Replacement

Knee is one of the largest and most complex joints in the body

.

knee joins the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia). The smaller bone that runs alongside the tibia (fibula) and the kneecap (patella) are the other bones that make the knee joint.

The knee joint consists of three bones:

Femur1. 2.

3. 4. Patella5. 6.

Tibia

The junction where the femur and tibia couple together is called the femorotibial joint. The region of the knee where the patella and femur form a junction is called the patella femoral joint. These two joints are what allow the bending and straightening of the knee.

There are also several key ligaments that connect these bones. The four key ligaments of the knee are:

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)

Medial collateral ligament (MCL)

Lateral collateral ligament (LCL)

Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)

What is Knee Replacement?

It’s a surgical procedure which can help relieve pain and restore function in severely diseased knee joints. Here worn, diseased, or damaged surfaces of a knee joint are removed and replaced with artificial surfaces.

osteoarthritis

What leads to Knee Replacement?

rheumatoid arthritis

post-traumatic arthritis

Knee Replacement Procedure

The surgeon makes an incision across the front of knee to gain access to the patella, more

commonly referred to as the kneecap.

After exposing the knee joint, the damaged bone and cartilage from the end of the femur is cut away. The end of your femur is cut and resurfaced to fit the first part of the artificial knee, the femoral component.

The surgeon attaches the metal femoral component to the end of your femur and uses bone cement to seal it into place.

The surgeon removes damaged bone and cartilage from the top of the tibia and then shapes the bone to fit the metal and plastic tibial components.

The bottom portion of the implant, called the tibia tray, is fitted to the tibia and secured into place using bone cement.

A polyethylene (medical-grade plastic) is inserted to sit between the tibial tray and the femoral component which provides support to the body as one bends and flex the knee.

The patella will be set to its normal position, ensuring a proper fit with the rest of your implant.

To complete the procedure, the surgeon will close the incision with stitches or staples, and then bandage it and prep you for recovery. You may leave the operating room with your leg in a continuous passive motion (CPM) machine that will gently bend and flex your new knee for you while you are lying down.

1) Infection of the wound

2) Unexpected bleeding into the knee joint

3) Ligament, artery or nerve damage in the around the area

knee joint

4) Blood clots or deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

5) Fracture in the bone around the artificial joint during or

after surgery

6) The kneecap becoming dislocated

7) Allergic reaction

8) Fracture in the bone around the artificial joint during or after surgery

Post Operative Care

1. Medications to Manage Pain - medication to help reduce temporary pain and inflammation later on

2. Dealing with Bruising - Bruising around your knee may last one to two weeks following surgery

3. Managing Swelling - Reduce inflammation and bruising by elevating your leg on a pillow in bed . If the swelling is severe in the morning when first arising or if accompanied by leg pain, you should contact your surgeon

4. Physical Therapy - Your physical therapist may use a TENS unit to stimulate blood flow and reduce pain to your knee and the surrounding area. TENS stands for “transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation."

5. Follow Your Exercises - do all the exercises your physical therapist prescribes. These exercises help strengthen muscles, increase your range of motion, and increase blood flow around your knee. This promotes healing and helps drain fluid away from sore tissue.

Benefits of Knee Replacement Surgery

1. freedom from pain

2. improved mobility

3. improved quality of life because everyday activities and exercise are easier.

To know more about Knee Replacement Surgery visit our website:

http://www.hbgmedicalassistance.com/