Total Knee Replacement Surgery
This webpage will give you information about total knee
replacement. If you have any questions, you should ask your GP or
other relevant health professional.
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a group of conditions where there is progressive
damage to one or more joints. The most common type of arthritis is
osteoarthritis, where there is progressive wear and tear of a
joint. Some other types of arthritis are associated with
inflammation of the joints.
The end result of arthritis is that the normal cartilage
covering the joint surfaces wears away and the bone underneath
becomes damaged. This causes joint pain and stiffness.
What are the benefits of surgery?
If your knee replacement is successful, you should have less
pain and be able to walk more easily.
Are there any alternatives to a total knee replacement?
Simple painkillers such as paracetamol and anti-inflammatory
painkillers such as ibuprofen can help control the pain.
Supplements to your diet may also help to relieve your symptoms.
You should check with your doctor before taking supplements.
Using a walking stick can make walking easier. Wearing an
elasticated support on your knee can help it feel stronger. Regular
moderate exercise helps to reduce stiffness in an arthritic knee. A
steroid injection into your knee joint can sometimes reduce pain
and stiffness.
A keyhole operation (arthroscopy) to clean out the knee joint
can give some relief for six to twelve months. All of these
measures become less effective as the arthritis gets worse.
What does the operation involve?
A variety of anaesthetic techniques are possible.
Your surgeon will make a cut on the front of your knee and
remove the damaged surfaces. They will replace these with an
artificial knee joint made of metal, plastic, ceramic, or a
combination of these materials (see figure 1).
Figure 1 - Typical knee replacement joint
An acrylic cement or special coatings on the knee replacement
bond it directly to the bone.
What complications can happen?
1 General complications of any operation
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Infection in the surgical wound
- Unsightly scarring
- Blood clots
- Difficulty passing urine
- Chest infection
- Heart attack or stroke
2 Specific complications of this operation
- Damage to nerves
- Loosening
- Damage to blood vessels
- Infection in the knee
- Severe pain, stiffness and loss of use of the knee (Complex
Regional Pain Syndrome)
How soon will I recover?
You should be able to go home after five to seven days.
You will need to use crutches or walking sticks for a few
weeks.
Most people make a good recovery, with much less pain and better
mobility.
However, an artificial knee never feels quite the same as a
normal knee. Kneeling down is not recommended and is usually
uncomfortable. A knee replacement can wear out with time.
Summary
In a few cases, arthritis of the knee is a result of a previous
knee injury or rheumatoid arthritis. Usually it happens without a
known cause. If you suffer severe pain, stiffness and disability, a
knee replacement should reduce your pain and help you to walk more
easily.
Acknowledgements
Author: Mr Stephen Milner DM FRCS (Tr. & Orth.)
Illustrations: Mr Stephen Milner DM FRCS (Tr. & Orth.)
This webpage is intended for information purposes only and
should not replace advice that your relevant health professional
would give you.
Copyright © 2008 EIDO Healthcare Limited
The operation and treatment information on
this website is produced by EIDO Healthcare Ltd and is licensed by
Ramsay Health Care UK.
The intellectual property rights to the
information belong exclusively to EIDO Healthcare Limited.
You may not copy, print out, download or
otherwise reproduce any of the information other than for your
personal, non-commercial use.
The information should not replace advice that
your relevant health professional would give you.
Hospitals offering this treatment
- Ashtead, Surrey, Ashtead Hospital
- Banbury, Horton NHS Treatment Centre
- Bingley, Yorkshire Clinic
- Caterham, North Downs Hospital
- Chelmsford, Springfield Hospital
- Chorley, Euxton Hall Hospital
- Colchester, Oaks Hospital
- Doncaster, Park Hill Hospital
- Gloucester, Winfield Hospital
- Halesowen, West Midlands Hospital
- Hitchin, Pinehill Hospital
- Kettering, Woodand Hospital
- Nottinghamshire, Nottingham Hospital
- Ormskirk, Renacres Hospital
- Orpington, Bromley Private Patient Unit
- Peterborough, Fitzwilliam Hospital
- Preston, Fulwood hospital
- Reading, Reading Treatment Centre
- Reading, Berkshire Independent Hospital
- Salford, Oaklands Hospital
- Salisbury, New Hall Hospital
- Salisbury, New Hall Treatment Centre
- Sawbridgeworth, Rivers Hospital
- Stafford, Rowley Hospital
- Torquay, Mount Stuart Hospital
- Truro, Duchy Hospital
- York, Clifton Park Treatment Centre