Talk to Me About Knee Replacement Surgery

Posted on

May 12, 2020

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Knee replacement surgery is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in the United States with more than 700,000 knee joints being replaced each year. There are more than 5 million people in this country currently living with knee replacements. The first knee replacement surgery was done in 1968 and the medical community has been working since that time to make the procedure better and safer. Knee replacement today is a highly technical, highly successful procedure that looks nothing like it did 50 years ago, or even 5 years ago.
So What Exactly is a Knee Replacement?
A knee replacement (also called knee arthroplasty) might be more accurately termed a knee "resurfacing" because only the surface of the cartilage and bones are actually replaced. Arthritis damages these cartilage surfaces and then a knee replacement replaces these damaged surfaces with metal and high-grade plastics. The muscles and ligaments around the knee are retained so that the knee will still bend and move like a normal knee joint.
How do I know if I am a candidate for knee replacement surgery?
There is no one symptoms or test that can tell you if knee replacement is right for you. It usually will require a medical evaluation with an orthopedic surgeon who will take X-rays, perform a physical exam, possibly order some lab tests or more advanced imaging studies like a CT scan or MRI, before sitting down with you and discussing your options. Knee replacement surgery is considered an elective procedure, so the patient is always in charge of the decision making process the surgeon merely provides instruction about the patients individual condition, education about the various options and will make recommendations based on their training and experience.
There are no absolute age or weight restrictions for total knee replacement surgery. Most patients who undergo total knee replacement are aged 50 to 80, but knee replacement surgery can be performed in patients of all ages if clinically appropriate.
What Can I Expect From Knee Replacement Surgery?
More than 90% of people who have total knee replacement surgery experience a dramatic reduction of knee pain and a significant improvement in the ability to perform common activities of daily living. But total knee replacement will not allow you to do more than you could before you developed arthritis.
With appropriate activity modification, knee replacements can last for many years most studies report that knee replacements last between 15-20 years. When they wear out, they can be redone or revised.
What Else Should I Know About Knee Replacement Surgery?
Not all knee replacement surgeries are the same. There are major differences between surgeons and hospitals with regard to outcomes and costs. It is important to be an educated consumer and ask questions and do some research. We are lucky that in Central Pennsylvania we have a number of highly qualified surgeons and hospitals that can provide the latest techniques and highest quality knee replacement surgery that can be found anywhere in the country. It is perfectly appropriate to ask about your surgeons qualifications and the hospital where the surgery will be performed. There are differences amongst hospitals with regard to cost, complication rates, infection rates, readmissions and patient satisfaction.
OSS Health is proud to be nationally recognized by multiple organizations including the Joint Commission, HealthGrades and Press-Ganey for excellence in joint replacement surgery and patient satisfaction.

Editors Note: This article was contributed by Dr. Joseph Alhadeff, an orthopaedic surgeon with OSS Health.

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