Knee Joint Replacements

Knee joint replacements are referred to as surgical treatments in which the damaged parts of the knee joint are replaced with artificial implants made up of metal and plastic. These artificial implants are made up of plastic and metal, are strong and durable so as to give best results after knee joint replacements. Surgeons place these implants in the knee joint by shaping the bone in a manner which would give best results.

Anatomy of knee joint replacements

The prosthesis used in the knee joint replacements is composed of two components. One component is made up of metal consisting titanium or cobalt-chrome. Second component is made up of a plastic material which is polyethylene. A knee joint consists of three types of bones. First of these is the thigh bone which is also called femur. Leg bone is known as tibia and the third bone is the knee cap which is called patella. Two joints involved in knee joint replacements are patellofemoral joint and femorotibial joint.

Patellofemoral joint and femorotibial joint are responsible for the straightening and the bending of the knee joint. Knee joint replacements are concerned with the efficient functioning of these two joints. If not functioning properly these are the joints which are replaced during the surgical treatment.

Benefits of knee joint replacements

Knee joint replacements surgeries have undergone considerable developments over the last three decades. These developments have increased the rate of success of knee joint replacements and the postoperative results of the surgeries. Technology and the material used in knee joint replacements have allowed most of the patients to live without pain for more than fifteen years after the surgeries. The techniques and the advancements so as to treat knee arthritis have been considered some of the most significant developments in orthopedic surgeries in the last century. Individuals after knee joint replacements have been able to walk and get engaged in other recreational activities in majority of the cases.

Suggestions before going for knee joint replacements

Knee joint is considered to be one of the largest joints in human body. Any surgical treatment which involves knee joint requires precision during the surgery and an efficient and fruitful recovery period after the knee joint replacement. Since the cost involved in the surgery is significantly high and the recovery after knee replacement surgery is relatively long, surgeons try to exhaust all non surgical treatment or other basic treatments before going for a complete knee joint replacement surgery. Patients have to make sure that the pain in the knees is significantly restricting their daily life. It has been observed that a knee joint replacement lasts for more than fifteen years. Hence it is not advised for children and young people. Orthopedic surgeons can advise a total knee replacement surgery or a minimally invasive partial knee replacement surgery depending upon the merit of the case.