Large Joint (hip & knee) Disease
Large Joint Disease refers to the condition of the joints (hip & knee), their surrounding structure including muscles, bones, the cartilage, and the lubricant cushioning these joints and how they function. Joint (hip & knee) pain is a discomfort caused in the joints and their surrounding structure which hampers one’s mobility.
Total Knee Replacement (TKR)
Total knee replacement surgery is also called as arthroplasty and this procedure involves removing parts of the damaged knee and replacing them with artificial knee prosthesis. Your orthopedic joint replacement surgeon will remove the damaged and diseased portions at the end of the femur (thigh bone) and top of tibia (shin bone) and replace them with artificial implants made of metal or plastic. Each bone is shaped to exactly fit the prosthesis. Components are then attached to the thigh bone, shin and knee cap, most commonly using surgical cement.
The need for TKR may arise due to
Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee Osteoarthritis is an age-related ‘wear and tear’ type of condition affecting the bones. It generally affects persons aged 50 years or more, but may also affect younger individuals. In this type of arthritis, the cartilage that cushions the bones of the knee softens and wears away. The edges of the bones then rub against one another, causing knee pain and stiffness. Osteoarthritis happens when the cartilage and the cushion between the knee joints deteriorate.
Rheumatic Arthritis
Rheumatic arthritis is caused due to the inflammation of the synovial membrane surrounding the joint which gradually damages the cartilage.
Post-traumatic Arthritis
Post-traumatic Arthritis is caused due to any serious knee injury. The bone fracture or tearing of the ligaments due to any such injury damages the cartilage causing pain and difficulty in mobility.
Symptoms of Arthritis
Joint stiffness and soreness
Grating sensation
Bone spurs
Loss of flexibility
Joint pain during activity
Cracking sound upon movement
Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis
Patients with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis should participate in a regular exercise program. Besides surgical, non-surgical treatments these include lifestyle modification, physical therapy, assistive devices, and medications. However, depending on the severity, your doctor will suggest the best line of treatment for knee osteoarthritis.
A surgical procedure where the bone is cut or reshaped for realignment.
It includes replacing some or all of the component surfaces of the knee joint with artificial implants.
Total Knee Replacement (TKR)
Knee replacement, also known as knee arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure done to replace the weight-bearing surfaces of the knee joint to relieve pain and disability. It involves removing the diseased knee joint surgically and replacing it with an artificial joint (prosthesis) made of metal alloys, high-grade plastics, and polymers.
Advantages of a Total Knee Replacement (TKR)
