Minimally Invasive Total Knee Replacement
A total knee replacement (also known as a knee arthroplasty) is a procedure used to treat severe degenerative degeneration of the knee joint.
Severe degenerative disease of the knee joints can debilitate you and greatly impact your quality of life. Knee replacement procedures can make a tremendous difference by restoring mobility with total pain elimination in many instances.
A smaller incision is used in minimally invasive total knee replacement than it is in standard knee replacement. The incision in the old approach is typically 8 to 10 inches long. The incision in minimally invasive knee surgery is only 4 to 6 inches long. Patients who have this treatment should expect a shorter hospital stay, a quicker recovery, and a better-looking scar since there is less injury to the tissue around the knee, particularly the quadriceps muscle.
Arthritis and Knee Replacement
Resurfacing the worn surfaces of the knee and replacing the missing cartilage and diseased bone with metal and plastic is known as knee replacement. Knees wear out for a variety of causes, including arthritis-related inflammation, injury, and general wear and strain.
The majority of knee arthritis is caused by years of wear and tear. Nobody understands why some people develop severe arthritis while others do not, or why arthritis might affect one knee but not the other. Arthritis has been linked to previous injuries and fat.
Treatment Options
Nonsurgical Treatment
Activity moderation, regular exercise, and weight loss are the first measures in treating knee arthritis. During the action, the muscles around the knee protect it. Every step transmits forces that are several times a person's body weight via the knee. As a result, increased strength and lower body weight can help the knee last longer.
Soft knee braces and shoe changes may be beneficial in some cases. Anti-inflammatories and pain medicines are also prescribed. Some dietary supplements may also be beneficial. You can also use a cane or walker to help you walk and enhance your mobility.
In order to reduce inflammation, steroid injections straight into the knee can be performed. To promote the function of the knee, a lubricant can be applied. These can help to alleviate some of the pain. If they are beneficial, they can be repeated from time to time.
Surgical Treatment
If nonsurgical treatments have failed and the pain is affecting your lifestyle and activities, a knee replacement may be considered. Knee arthroscopy (rarely done only for arthritis), partial knee replacement, and total knee replacement are surgical alternatives.
Knee replacement is intended to offer a pain-free knee that allows for reasonably regular activities and lasts a long period. It is critical that the knee implants be implanted correctly in order to achieve these objectives.
To improve the accuracy of implant positioning and sizing some surgeons are using patient-specific instruments. In this procedure, an MRI is taken of the diseased knee and is sent to the prosthesis manufacturer.
A computerized 3-D image of the knee replacement implant is matched to the MRI image of the diseased knee to fine-tune the size of the implant and exact alignment for best results.
On a computer, the operation is planned and the finished image is sent to the Bone specialist in Coimbatore for his approval. Then cutting jigs specific to that patient are manufactured and sent to the surgeon to be used during the patient's knee replacement. You can compare it to buying a suit or dress off the peg or having it made bespoke.
90 percent to 95 percent of knee replacements last 15 years or longer with current procedures.