Have you ever been in so much pain and stiff, that you have trouble with your mobility? Well, that could be due to your joints. Joints can be damaged by arthritis, chronic conditions, or injuries. Arthritis or simply years of use may cause a lot of wear and tear on your joints. Thus causing pain, stiffness, and swelling. Bones are alive, and they need blood to be healthy, grow, and repair. Diseases and damage inside a joint can limit blood flow, causing multiple problems, and if not treated properly, surgery may ultimately be required.
If you’ve ever had any sort of injury, especially a knee injury, you probably appreciate how your knees power you through various sports and activities: kicking, jumping, running, and pivoting. To avoid knee injuries, it helps to understand how your knees work and what you can do to protect them. Surgery may be required and recovery time is necessary.
The first thing to understand about knee health is that the knee is a stabilizing joint that functions and exists directly between two very mobile joint the hip and the foot. If the hip or foot becomes injured or impaired, mobility of the knee is limited. The knee is made up of bones, cartilage, muscles, ligaments, and tendons, all working as one. What makes knee injuries complicated is they could be caused by stress or damage to any of these parts. The knee sits in the middle of three bones: the tibia (your shinbone), the femur (your thighbone), and the patella (the kneecap). The patella is a flat and round bone that protects the knee joint.
Joint replacement surgery has progressed leaps and bounds in the last couple of decades and is regarded as the most successful surgery in the orthopedic field. There are millions of people around the world who suffer from crippling joint disorders and pain, so this type of procedure often comes as a savior for such patients. And with surgical and technological advancements constantly evolving, it has become more possible to restore painless movement to the affected joint so that the individual can return to a normal life after surgery.
Total Knee Replacement Surgery:
A total knee replacement (TKR) is a complex procedure that requires an orthopedic surgeon to make precise measurements and skillfully remove the diseased or damaged portions of your bone, in order to shape the remaining bone to accommodate the knee implant. During the procedure, the surgeon builds the artificial knee inside your leg, one component at a time, to create a highly realistic artificial joint.
Recovery for a total knee replacement:
After a total knee replacement, patients are often standing and moving the joint the day after surgery. At first, you may walk with the help of parallel bars, and then a walking device, such as crutches, walker, or cane will be used until your knee can support your full body weight. After about six weeks, most people are walking comfortably with minimal assistance. Once muscle strength is restored with physical therapy, people who have had knee joint replacement surgery can enjoy most activities (except running and jumping).
With proper healing, rehabilitation, and physical therapy, a successful total knee replacement will provide a much happier outcome than continuing with debilitating pain and reduced mobility. Once you have determined that a total knee replacement is your best option, the outcome will most likely be worlds better than the alternative.
If you think you may be a candidate for a total knee replacement call Dr. Bill Hefley at (800) 336-2412 to request an appointment.
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