This surgery involves removing a diseased or injured knee joint and replacing it with an artificial one.
This is done if you have pain and stiffness in the knee joint that limits activities. Before surgery, other measures are tried, such as:
Knee replacement surgery is most often done to:
Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a knee replacement, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:
Be sure to discuss these risks with your doctor before the surgery.
Your doctor will likely do the following:
Leading up to your procedure:
Different types of anesthesia can be used, including:
The doctor will make a cut in the skin. The damaged cartilage and bone will be removed. The remaining bone will be prepared to receive the new plastic and metal joint. The doctor will then place the artificial joint in the proper position. It will be cemented within the bone. The doctor will close the incision with staples. A drain will be left in to allow extra fluid to flow out.
About 2 hours
You will have pain during recovery. Your doctor will give you pain medicine.
This procedure is done in a hospital setting. The usual length of stay is 3-4 days. Your doctor may choose to keep you longer if complications arise.
While you are recovering at the hospital, you may need to:
When you return home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:
Within six weeks, you should be able to go back to light activities and driving. You may feel a soft clicking in the joint when walking or bending. Continue to work with the physical therapist. Water-based exercises may help to improve joint pain, swelling around the knee, and range of motion.
After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
In case of an emergency, CALL 911 .
RESOURCES:
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
http://www.aaos.org/
American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine
http://www.sportsmed.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Orthopaedic Association
http://www.coa-aco.org/
Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation
http://www.canorth.org/
References:
Total knee replacement. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website. Available at: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00389 . Updated August 2007. Accessed December 22, 2008.
4/16/2009 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php : Harmer AR, Naylor JM, Crosbie J, Russell T. Land-based versus water-based rehabilitation following total knee replacement: a randomized, single-blind trial. Arthritis Rheum . 2009;61:184-191.
Last reviewed November 2009 by Robert E. Leach, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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