Knee replacement surgery in India - reduces costs in half! knee pain is a common problem in middle-aged people and elderly, and the most common cause of knee pain in this population as arthritis of the knee. There are some treatments for arthritis of the knee at the beginning may help relieve pain, and people return to their daily activities. As some point, arthritis of the knee begins to interfere with the quality of life to such an extent that something must change. If treatment such as anti-inflammatories, cortisone injections and physiotherapy fail to improve the situation, the total knee replacement may be an option
Common causes of knee pain and loss of knee function
The most common cause of chronic knee pain and disability is arthritis. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and traumatic arthritis are the most common forms.
Osteoarthritis usually occurs after age 50 years and often in an individual with a family history of arthritis. The cartilage that cushions the bones of the knee softens and wears. The bones then rub against each other, causing pain and stiffness of the knee.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which the synovial membrane becomes thickened and inflamed, producing too much synovial fluid which over-fills the joint space. This chronic inflammation can damage cartilage and eventually cause cartilage loss, pain and stiffness.
Traumatic arthritis can follow a serious knee injury. A knee fracture or severe tears of the ligaments of the knee can damage the articular cartilage over time, causing knee pain and limiting knee function.
Recent advances in surgery of the knee joint replacement:
Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has revolutionized knee replacement surgery as well as many areas of medicine. Its main feature is that it uses specialized techniques and instrumentation to enable surgeons to perform major surgery without a large incision.
MIS knee replacement requires a much smaller incision, three to five inches, compared to the standard approach and incision, which is usually eight to twelve inches. Smaller, less invasive approaches result in less tissue trauma by allowing surgeons to work between the quadriceps muscle fibers instead of requiring an incision in the tendon. It may lead to less pain, less recovery time and better motion due to less scar tissue formation.Currently this procedure less invasive is practiced by only a small percentage of orthopedic surgeons in North America. Because this type of surgery is still relatively new, research has been launched to determine how the immediate and long term will be compared to traditional surgery.
Type of knee implant:
There are two basic types of implants:
o cement knee
The knee replacements most often used are cemented into the bone.
Cemented implants fit very well in the position immediately and firmly fixed in the bone.
o Press-Fit Knee
Press-fit implants are designed with a rough surface that the bone can become. Over time the bone grows around the implant holding it securely in position.
What happens during knee replacement?
When a knee replacement is performed, the bone and cartilage at the end of the thigh bone (femur) and the upper tibia (shin bone) are removed. This is achieved by using precise instruments to create exact surfaces to accommodate the implant. A metal and plastic knee implant is then placed to function as a new knee joint. Depending on the condition of the cartilage on the underside of the kneecap, this may also be replaced.
How long will the knee?
The knee implant may wear out over time. The implant is made of metal and Plas.
Posted on February 18, 2010.
