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The front of the knee joint is exposed by detaching a portion of the patellar tendon. This makes the patella visible which is displaced to one side. In this way, the distal end of the femur and the proximal end of the tibia become visible. Cutting guides are used to cut the bones in the appropriate shape and size. Cartilages and anterior cruciate ligaments are ligated. The posterior cruciate ligament might also be removed depending on the type of surgery. While fibular and tibial collateral ligaments are conserved anyway. After this, artificial metallic components are surgically implanted at the joint. A substance called polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cement is used to fix the metallic parts at the exact place. Besides this cement, porous metal prostheses and Osseointegration methods can also be used.
This is a 1 to 3-hour procedure after which you have to stay at the hospital for 1 to 4 days. You may suffer from severe pain which needs to be managed with the assistance of your medical team and physio will be required to help recover the movement. The period of stay in the hospital may vary depending on the type of surgery. Complete knee replacement needs more care and healing time as compared to partial knee replacement.
Also, your physical condition and willpower contribute to your stay at the hospital. Once discharged, you will need to stay local for at least 10-14 days for follow-up procedures and early-stage physio, as the first week is so important to the full recovery. Effective recovery is an essential part of the Knee Replacement.
6 weeks are required for complete recovery, however, it may take 3 months for inflammation and pain to subside and the knee continues to repair up to 2 years after the surgery. During the first 6 weeks, you cannot walk properly and experience pain and inflammation, therefore, walking aids such as walkers, crutches, walking sticks, etc. will be required. You can start walking again 12 to 24 hours of surgery with the help of your medical assistant. You can drive again 4 to 6 weeks after the operation. The replaced knee can work for 15 years after which metallic parts wear out and start causing problems. Note that the recovery from Knee Replacement is a gradual process and varies from person to person.
The following points should be kept in mind for the aftercare of a knee transplant patient:
More than 90% of people who have gone through a knee replacement surgery told that they have a tremendous amount of relief in pain and their ability to walk around. 85 to 90% of surgeries are reported to be successful. 60% of these surgeries were undergone by women. The probability of positive outcomes hinges primarily on elements like the degree of injury, an individual's general wellbeing, and compliance with recovery and subsequent care.
This is the best solution for severe and continuous aching of the knee, but the following are some non-surgical alternatives you may consider first:
This information has been accurately sourced and verified by a medical professional for its accuracy, however, we strongly recommend you to consult with your doctor before pursuing medical procedures overseas.