What to Expect from Knee Replacement Surgery?

If you plan to go for knee replacement surgery, then this article is what you should be reading before going to the hospital. Objective is not to scare you before the surgery, rather prepare you, mentally and physically for this medical procedure. Read more about the full or partial knee replacement surgery that you will undergo here.

When you reach the hospital on the day of your surgery, after fulfilling all the basic things, you will be taken to the operation theater and anesthesia will be injected. For this purpose, liquid antiseptic will be given around the knee area. The placement of the knee will be at 90 degrees whereas lower portion of the leg including foot is placed on specially designed place for holding it properly during the procedure.

For managing the flow of blood from the knee, tourniquet is mainly applied in the upper part of the leg. With this proper incision is made keeping in view the required appropriate size.

Time to remove the bone surface which is damaged

The cartilage and the surface of the bone which is damaged is then removed with the help of surgical process. In order to ensure the proper cuts being made on the leg, proper guides and precision measures are taken via instruments, also the cuts made have to be align so that the new surface could easily be attached with the bone.

In the initial phase, the portion along the back, front and end of the femur bone are removed. In this context smaller portion is taken. It also puts the bone in proper shape for further implant. The amount of damage to the bone determines the portion of the bone to be removed through surgery. Along with femur bone, patella surface and top part of the tibia is also removed so as to flatten the ends of the bone.

Time to attach the implant

The process of implantation is made on the individual ends of all three bones. the implant is done to align the normal movement of the knee joint which an individual was doing before the surgery. On the top of femur, implant is made up of metal surface, whereas the one done on the surface of tibia is of two parts, whereas the one on the patella consists of durable plastic material.

There are number of designs available for the artificial knee. Some come with central stems, others with a hole so they could be fit into the bones while some other come with pegs.

Time to clear the wound

For attaining the best possible movement of the knee, sometimes surgeon adjusts the surrounding ligament of the knee. When then ligament is properly adjusted and implantation is done, stitching process of tissues is started and surgeons tend to put the tissue back to their actual position.

After the first few hours of the surgery, a tube made of plastic is used which manages the flow of liquid before it drains. The skin from their edges is then sewed and knee is finally put in a bandage which is sterilized. After this the shifting of patient to the recovery room is made.

The article is helpful for people who want to know what processes they will be undergoing during the surgery. However, some processes may vary as per the requirement of the surgery and hospital.