Strenuous activities such as walking, running, jumping, or even getting up from a sitting position require us to have strong knees. Hence, people with knee-related injuries, or medical conditions including arthritis, experience daily pain and are unable to live a normal life.
Increasingly, patients with knee problems are opting for Total Knee Replacement procedure (TKR) to reclaim their lifestyle. More than 600,000 knee replacement surgeries are performed each year in the United States. The number of knee replacement surgery in India is also growing each year, with younger people in age group of 30-40 also opting for this surgery to tackle their knee problems.
This article evaluates when patients with knee problems should consider TKR, along with the various types of TKR surgeries available.
When should one opt (or not opt) for TKR? Listed below are some reasons why one could consider opting for a TKR surgery: Constant knee pain and swelling Patients who experience constant knee pain and have visible joint swelling even when they are resting or sleeping can go for the TKR procedure to get rid of the chronic pain and improve their overall quality of life.
When other known treatments do not work TKR can be a viable option for patients who have undergone other known forms of treatment which have failed, or only worked for a limited period such as physical therapy, weight loss programs, or those who are consuming anti-inflammatory drugs and pain killers daily.
Knee deformities Patients with knee deformities such as bow-leggedness or knock knees can opt for TKR to revert their knees to normal. Listed below are some reasons why one should not opt for a TKR surgery.
Medical problems: Patients with medical problems such as heart-related problem, diabetes, or blood clotting are advised not to go for the TKR surgery as such health problems can have increased complications in the surgery. When the problem is not in the knee, Often, patients with joint problems in other areas of the body (for example, arthritis in the back or hip) can experience knee pain. It is advisable to consult with your doctor how best to deal with the source of the pain.
Types of Knee Replacement surgeries: Based on the medical condition of the patient, orthopedic surgeons suggest the following types of TKR surgeries:
Minimally-invasive TKR surgery: This type of TKR surgery involves smaller incisions into the knee and lesser disruption of the knee tissues. This surgery is not advised when there is a major misalignment between the thigh and the lower leg.
Bilateral TKR: This surgery involves the replacement of both knees. Following the surgery, patients may need to stay in the hospital for up to a week to recover from the surgery.
Computer-aided TKR surgery: In this surgery, computer technology is used to ensure a more precise alignment of the replacement joint, which improves its longevity.
Conclusion: The availability of affordable surgery packages in TKR has made this surgical procedure popular for knee patients in India, although it is still advisable to opt for medical consultation before choosing to go to surgery. Patients who have undergone the TKR surgery should also choose healthier lifestyle changes, such as a balanced diet, exercise, or weight loss regimes to improve their overall quality of life.
