Knee Replacement

Considering An Artificial Knee Replacement?

Have you been spending sleepless nights worrying about artificial knee replacement that your doctor advised you about? Well, don't panic any further. It is natural to be concerned but remember that a painful knee isn't child's play. This is something that can severely affect your ability to lead a full, happy life filled with lots of adventure and activity. So if your doctor discussed aritifical knee replacement options with you, it is because he is aware of the tremendous changes that have occurred in the last 25 years. Thanks to major advancements in artificial knee replacement, you don't need to worry so much about the outcome of the surgery. But don't let that delude you into believing there are no risks. In this discussion, we will cover some positive aspects and the risks associated with it.

To help you understand with more clarity, let's go over one of the much acclaimed advances in artificial knee replacement surgery. This is called the unicompartmental knee replacement. It is also called as a unicondylar knee replacement. The plus point of this type of knee replacement is that it has proved itself to be less invasive than a full knee replacement. Its operation is designed to replace only those specific areas relating to the joint that suffered the utmost damage due to arthritis. So this means this works best in cases pertaining to younger patients.

There are other advantages of unicompartmental knee replacements over total knee replacements. When we mention total knee replacement, it means that you would have to replace all the three knee compartments namely medial, lateral and patellofemoral.

The unicompartmental knee replacement is a better option because it ensures a better range of movement, a better experience and better relief from pain as well. Loss of blood is less. Transfusion is not really required for this form of artificial knee replacement. In fact, doctors make it a point to emphasize that complications are less frequent and less severe in unicompartmental knee replacements.

However, it is important for you to be well aware of all risks that may be related with artificial knee replacement.

Just as would be the case with any form of surgery, artificial knee replacement surgery brings with it the risk of potentially life-threatening infection, heart attack and stroke. A major concern for most doctors relates to blood clots in the leg vein (thrombophlebitis) or in the lungs (pulmonary embolism). In fact, experienced surgeons use blood thinners as the most common method to prevent such clots from forming.

There are other risks as well. These risks comprise knee-joint infection, nerve damage, and the possibility that your new knee may let you down by dislocating. Frightful possibilities are there. Infection, for example, is an ongoing concern. This is because it is possible for bacteria to travel through your bloodstream and infect the surgical spot. In such situations, get in touch with your doctor immediately. Remember that if your antibiotics fail to tackle this clear case of infection, you may require surgery to remove the infected joint and then another surgery so that you can install a new one.

With these detailed facts to help you understand all about the risks related to artificial knee replacement, feel positive and confident that you know almost as much as your doctor does!