A Look at The Different Types of Knee Arthritis Surgery
The knee is one of the most important components of our lower limbs, as it allows us to effectively move our legs when we walk. Without a healthily functioning knee we are not able to walk or run in a normal way. However, as we grow old our knees tend to experience a lot of wear and tear, making them weak and less effective. Arthritis is one of the conditions that affects the knee joints as we become older. In order to get rid of the problems associated with knee arthritis, it is necessary to carry out surgical procedures that can resolve pain and other knee issues. A Knee Clinic that is equipped with effective medical infrastructure can offer treatments to maintain biomechanical and knee health.
Determining the appropriate surgical procedure in a given case would depend on the age of the patient, general health, anatomy, lifestyle, personal preferences and the specific nature of the condition, as well as the experience and preferences of the surgeon.
Below are some of the common types of surgical treatment for knee arthritis:
Total Knee Replacement Surgery:
Also known as Total Knee Arthroplasty, this is an appropriate option for patients who have moderate to severe arthritis of the knee and have had little resolve with nonsurgical treatment methods. This surgical operation involves cutting off the damaged ends of tibia (shin bone) and the femur (thighbone) and then capping both of them with prostheses or capping teeth.
In most cases a Total Knee Replacement can provide pain relief and enhanced knee joint function. However, it should be remembered that the replacement knee is comparatively weaker than a healthy knee and therefore patients are strictly advised not to actively engage in high-impact activities like jogging.
Partial Knee Replacement Surgery:
The Partial Knee Replacement is also called a Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty and it involves replacing any one of the 3 most significant sections of the knee, i.e. the medial, lateral and the patellofemoral. A Partial Knee Replacement is used to treat arthritically damaged parts of knee joint while preserving the healthy areas. Typically, the medial or lateral compartment is treated. The procedure is considered ideal for only a small percentage of people. Patients may not be eligible if their knee areas are not properly aligned, are affected by ligament damage, have got severe knee stiffness, or if the patient suffers from a condition of inflammatory arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis.
Knee Osteotomy:
This procedure is also known as Femoral Osteotomy or Tibial Osteotomy. It is used mainly for the treatment of asymmetrical knee arthritis or unilateral knee arthritis. It is a feature of this condition that only one part of the knee experiences a lot of wearing and tearing due to poor knee alignment.
