What is  knee replacement surgery?

Knee replacement, additionally known as knee surgical procedure or total knee replacement, may be a operation to resurface a knee broken by inflammatory disease. Metal and plastic elements area unit wont to cap the ends of the bones that kind the ginglymus, in conjunction with the kneecap. This surgery is also thought-about for somebody who has severe inflammatory disease or a severe knee injury.

Various varieties of inflammatory disease could have an effect on the ginglymus. degenerative arthritis, a chronic joint malady that affects principally old and older adults, could cause the breakdown of joint animal tissue and adjacent bone within the knees. autoimmune disorder, that causes inflammation of the synovium and ends up in excessive synovia, will cause pain and stiffness. Traumatic inflammatory disease, inflammatory disease because of injury, could cause injury to the animal tissue of the knee.

The goal of knee replacement surgery is to resurface the elements of the ginglymus that are broken and to alleviate knee pain that can’t be controlled by different treatments.

Anatomy of the knee

Joints area unit the areas wherever two or a lot of bones meet. Most joints area unit mobile, permitting the bones to maneuver. Basically, the knee is two long leg bones control along by muscles, ligaments, and tendons. every bone finish is roofed with a layer of animal tissue that absorbs shock and protects the knee.

There area unit two teams of muscles concerned within the knee, as well as the musculus quadriceps femoris muscles (located on the front of the thighs), that straighten the legs, and also the hamstring muscles (located on the rear of the thighs), that bend the leg at the knee.

Tendons area unit powerful cords of animal tissue that connect muscles to bones. Ligaments area unit elastic bands of tissue that connect bone to bone. Some ligaments of the knee offer stability and protection of the joints, whereas different ligaments limit forward and backward movement of the leg bone (shin bone).

The knee consists of the subsequent:

Tibia. this can be the shin bone or larger bone of the lower leg.

Femur. this can be the femur or higher long bone.

Patella. this can be the kneecap.

Cartilage. a kind of tissue that covers the surface of a bone at a joint. animal tissue helps cut back the friction of movement among a joint.

Synovial membrane. A tissue that lines the joint and seals it into a joint capsule. The synovium secretes synovia (a clear, sticky fluid) round the joint to lubricate it.

Ligament. a kind of powerful, elastic animal tissue that surrounds the joint to provide support and limits the joint’s movement.

Tendon. a kind of powerful animal tissue that connects muscles to bones and helps to regulate movement of the joint.

Meniscus. A arching a part of animal tissue within the knees and different joints that acts as a muffler, will increase contact space, and deepens the ginglymus.

Reasons for the procedure

Knee replacement surgery may be a treatment for pain and incapacity within the knee. the foremost common condition that ends up in the requirement for knee replacement surgery is degenerative arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is characterised by the breakdown of joint animal tissue. injury to the animal tissue and bones limits movement and should cause pain. individuals with severe chronic joint malady is also unable to try to to traditional activities that involve bending at the knee, like walking or rising stairs, as a result of they’re painful. The knee could swell or “give-way” as a result of the joint isn’t stable.

Other kinds of inflammatory disease, like {rheumatoid inflammatory disease|atrophic arthritis|rheumatism|arthritis|autoimmune disease|autoimmune disorder} and arthritis that results from a knee injury, can also cause degeneration of the ginglymus. additionally, fractures, torn animal tissue, and/or torn ligaments could cause irreversible injury to the ginglymus.

If medical treatments aren’t satisfactory, knee replacement surgery is also a good treatment. Some medical treatments for chronic joint malady could embrace, however aren’t restricted to, the following

Anti-inflammatory medications

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate

Pain medications

Limiting painful activities

Assistive devices for walking (such as a cane)

Physical medical care

Cortisone injections into the ginglymus

Viscosupplementation injections (to add lubrication into the joint to form joint movement less painful)

Weight loss (for fat persons)

There is also different reasons for your doctor to advocate a knee replacement surgery.