Total Knee Replacement
Total knee replacement surgery is commonly performed for painful degenerative arthritis of the knee, post traumatic arthritis and other conditions such as inflammatory arthritis like rheumatoid. Treatment reduces pain and improves function and flexibility.
The surgeon will normally discuss all non-operative measures like activity modifications, weight loss, optimizing medication, temporary injections of steroid/hyaluronic acid and physiotherapy before considering surgical options.
Dr. Nizam performs both computer navigated and non-navigated knee replacements. Normally the femoral and tibial surfaces are replaced with extremely durable metal-alloy implants with a plastic insert between. The patella may or may not be resurfaced, depending on the condition of individual knees.
A Tourniquet is NOT used in majority of cases around the thigh. In Dr. Nizam’s experience they may lead to post operative thigh pain with a risk of reduced mobility and range of movement.
2 Week Scar After Enhanced Recovery / Rapid Recovery Knee Replacement
85 yr old male – 2 weeks after Rapid Recovery / Enhanced recovery Knee Replacement walking without a limp unaided and already Driving a car from 10 days post surgery.
85 yr old male , 2 weeks after Enhanced Recovery Knee Replacement has 0-120 degrees of active flexion and extension and no pain.
Knee replacement surgery involves “resurfacing” the knee joint.
This involves placing a metal component on the femur (thigh bone), a metal component on your tibia and plastic between the two joints to act as cartilage or shock absorption. On some occasions the under surface of your knee cap or patella is replaced with a plastic component for further stability and structural integrity. The components move together seamlessly to allow near to normal function in the knee.
