Arthritis is a condition that affects one or more joints, which causes discomfort and inflammation. It worsens with age while the accompanying symptoms also progress. Arthritis comes in many forms, but the most common are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The primary purpose of the management of this disease is to lessen the symptoms to improve quality of life. The last option for severe cases is total knee replacement, which is also called knee arthroplasty. It is a surgical procedure that requires cutting of the affected bone and replacing it with a prosthesis made of high-grade plastics and polymers or metal alloys.
Who needs Knee Replacement Surgery?
Determining when to have a knee replacement requires close consultation with your doctor. If your doctor determines that you are unable to perform even simple tasks due to joint pain and stiff joints, it might be the right time for you to accept knee replacement. Normally, surgery is reserved for people over the age of 50, and who have succumbed to severe arthritis.
What Happens During Knee Replacement Surgery?
The first thing before knee replacement is to put you in a state of anesthesia (temporal sleep). After anesthesia, a one-inch cut is made right in front of the affected knee. From here, the damaged part of the knee is completely removed from the bones. The surfaces of the bones are then carefully shaped so that they can hold a plastic or metal artificial joint. The specialist will then attach this artificial joint to the thigh bone or skin using a special cement or glue.
What are Recent Advances in Knee Replacement Surgery?
In recent times, minimal-invasive surgery has become a critical innovation in the field of medicine. The key ingredient with this procedure is that a major surgery is done without a need of having a deep incision. This procedure is only able to be performed by a smaller percentage of orthopedic surgeons in hospitals in North America.
What Happens after Knee Replacement Surgery?
After surgery, you are normally allowed to stay at the hospital for a period of three to five days. Evidence shows that the majority of those who undergo surgery have a quick recovery. Improvement in the general feeling of the joint is felt at the beginning of one month or so. You may first require crutches to walk after surgery, but after your knee has completely healed you will be able to walk normally. Once the muscles have strengthened, you will be able to walk normally. Running and jumping are the only exceptions that people who have undergone knee replacement cannot do.
How Long Will I Need Physical Therapy After Knee Replacement?
Immediately after knee replacement, you are required to go to a rehabilitation facility. The average period of staying at a rehabilitation facility is about seven to ten days.
But if you are sent home directly after surgery, then the doctor will send a physiotherapist to come and treat you at your home.
Precautions after Knee Replacement Surgery
For about six weeks after knee replacement, you are required to refrain from pivoting or twisting on the affected knee. You should also avoid squatting and kneeling very soon after surgery.
You are given some guidelines and adaptive equipment to help you stick with the required standards. Note: breaking these guidelines might dislocate your joint.
How Can I Manage at Home during Recovery?
Here are the tips to help you recover well at home:
- Keep Stair-climbing a minimum. Ensure you only need to go up and down the stairs only once or twice a day.
- Equip yourself with a firm and straight-back chair. This chair will help you adhere to these precautions.
- Ensure, the floor of your house, does not contain anything that might lead to falls. Falls might make you dislocate the joint again.
- Consult your doctor when to commence such activities as sexual activity or driving.
Is Knee Replacement Surgery Safe?
This procedure has been in operation for several yours, and there are underway efforts to make it even better.
- The main risk associated with this procedure is less walking which might result in blood clotting. However, you doctor will give you blood thinners to help you deal with that.
- Bleeding and infection are other possible side effects. This could be as a result of using general anesthesia.
There are other common concerns that you and your doctor ought to watch out:
- There is a possibility of fat in the bone marrow becoming loose. These lose fats might end entering the bloodstream moving into the lungs where they will cause difficulties in breathing.
- There could be a possibility of knee-nerves swelling because of pressure, and this might cause numbness.
- Other bones might accidentally get injured during surgery making your stay at the hospital longer than normal.
- Sometimes, the replacement parts might become loose or even break.
How long will My New Knee Joint Last?
Initially, it was estimated that knee replacement would last for only 10 years, but with recent developments it is now estimated that it can last for as long as 20 years. With the current improvements in artificial joints, it is expected that in the future knee replacement will last for more than 20 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the causes of arthritis?
Arthritis can be caused by the wear and tear damage to the cartilage and the immune system attacking the lining of the joints. Besides, risk factors such as age, family history, obesity, sex, and joint injury may influence the development of the disease.
2. How is it diagnosed?
The doctor will perform a physical assessment to determine the presence of symptoms and laboratory examinations, such as Xray and blood tests, to rule out the disease.
3. What can I do to manage arthritis?
There is no cure for arthritis, and medical professionals will typically prescribe medications to alleviate symptoms and improve joint function. Arthritis meds include painkillers, NSAIDs, corticosteroids, and counterirritants. There are, however, natural remedies to manage symptoms. Lifestyle changes and all-natural supplements can help improve the quality of life of sufferers.
Do Supplements Help Alleviate Symptoms of Arthritis?
There are many natural products on the market that have been formulated to ease joint pain and inflammation. One is called Relief Factor, which supports the body’s coping mechanism. The formula may help improve blood circulation, reduce the body’s inflammatory process, and lessen pain at the source.
Conclusion
Arthritis may have detrimental effects on the body. People with arthritis often have difficulties performing day-to-day activities, which can affect their quality of life. Those who suffer from severe arthritis may opt for total knee replacement, a type of surgery that requires replacing the affected bone with a prosthesis. However, people with less severe cases can do lifestyle modifications and turn to natural joint support supplements like Relief Factor. There are still a lot of things that you can do despite having the disease. Diet, exercise, and supplements can help augment your life.