Monday 12 December 2011

Relieve pain with knee replacement

Knee replacement is a surgical treatment to improve the quality life of patients suffering from acute pain due to damaged knees and severe arthritis. This is like a last resort to those suffering with knee problems. Basically people choose to undergo a surgery after trying other alternatives like activity modification, medication, weight loss and if it doesn’t relieve the pain completely; eventually the condition of the knee starts getting worse. Broadly speaking two types of knee replacement surgeries are available, one is partial and second being the total knee replacement and it can be recommended by a doctor after having close examination of the damaged knee.

The main cause of this kind of damage is arthritis which means inflammation in the joints. With the gradual damage, the cartilage that protects the knee joints start wearing off resulting in immense pain and stiffness. With the loss of cartilage the bone gets exposed and collides which doesn’t happen in the healthy knee joints. The most common type of arthritis is Osteoarthritis. The other reason for a damaged knee can be an injury or an accident which demands knee replacement right away without allowing further destruction of the knee bone. During a knee replacement surgery the skin around the knee is cut open and a plastic or a metal compound is placed by removing the damaged part.

There are four parts that form a knee, the lower of thigh bone called femur and the top end of the lower leg is tibia. Right below and just next to tibia is Fibula that goes parallel to tibia. And the knee cap that covers the joint is the knee cap also known as patella. The knee joint is entirely covered with ligament that makes the joint movement smooth. Any of these getting out of place of damaging will cause pain and would need a replacement in the later stages. In the partial replacement only the damaged part is removed but in the total knee replacement whole knee is changed and a metallic or a plastic component is placed that has been designed like a knee. Total knee replacement stops any further damage that might be possible in a partial surgery.

Now days this surgery has become very common with the upcoming latest technology, major care has to be taken after the surgery to avoid any kind of infection or further injury. The patient remains in hospital for a few days even after the knee replacement under observation and further treated for early healing. All this depends on the type of surgery whether total or partial and also the age and physical condition of the patient. This rehabilitation program starts immediately after the surgery there is some post surgical pain which is taken care of through medication. Surgeons take special precaution before and even after the surgery it is examined that there shouldn’t occur any kind of bacterial infection or urinary tract infection or may be skin infection. Blood clots in the veins around the surgical spot is the most common issue but it is prevented by the regular elevation and exercise prescribed by an orthopedic. If any kind of redness, swelling or irritation exists surgeon should be contacted immediately. For more details visit www.cmcmohali.com .

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