The knee joint is one of the joints that plays a major role in the movement process, and any injury to it may make the patient unable to carry out his daily activities normally and make simple movements such as walking or climbing stairs more painful.
The process of replacing the knee joint for the elderly is the ideal solution for cases that suffer from severe erosion in the joint, or for inflammation and pain that cannot be controlled with medication or physical therapy. What is the process of replacing the knee joint? And what are the most important tips after the operation to help you in a speedy recovery? This is what we will learn about in detail in the coming paragraphs with Dr. Bajad Hisham – teacher and consultant of orthopedics, joints and endoscopy at the Kasr Al-Aini Faculty of Medicine, fellow of the Royal College of Orthopedics and Traumatology – read on.
What is the process of replacing the knee joint?
Knee replacement surgery for the elderly (knee replacement surgery) is one of the common operations that are performed worldwide for those suffering from severe arthritis that affects the knee and causes severe pain during movement.
In which the affected part of the knee joint is replaced with industrial metal or plastic parts, and some cases may require a complete replacement of the joint.
Reasons for resorting to knee replacement surgery
We also mentioned that severe pain and inability to move, which cannot be controlled by other treatment methods such as taking various types of medications or using local injection methods, are the main reason for resorting to a knee replacement surgery for the elderly, and among the most important reasons for this severe damage to the joint:
- Advanced stages of osteoporosis.
- Other types of arthritis are the most common, rheumatoid arthritis, and arthritis that occurs due to an untreated knee injury.
- Joint stiffness in advanced cases.
Knee replacement surgery for the elderly – steps
The process requires more precision and experience in order to be able to obtain the required results, and the steps of the operation may differ from one patient to another depending on the damaged part of the knee joint and the degree of damage in it, but the process often proceeds according to a set of steps, so that we can get to know them to be more reassured when you undergo a joint replacement operation knee.
Pre-operation
At Dr. Bajad Hisham Center – Lecturer and Consultant of Orthopedics, Joints and Endoscopy, we are most interested in the diagnosis stage. This is because it has a major role in determining the proper treatment plan.
In the beginning, you will undergo an examination by Dr. Bajad Hisham and the medical team of the center, then after that the attending physician may request a set of examinations such as regular X-rays or CT scans, and the endoscope can have a major role in diagnosing erosion of the knee joint, as well as it may have a role in treating some cases.
After reaching the diagnosis and making the decision to undergo a knee joint replacement operation for the elderly, the doctor may request some medical examinations to ensure that there is nothing preventing the operation.
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during the operation
The steps differ from one patient to another, as we mentioned, and often the steps are as follows:
- The patient is given local or total anesthesia, depending on the patient’s general health condition and the treating physician’s opinion.
- The knee circumference is thoroughly cleaned with an antiseptic solution, and excess hair is removed from it to prevent exposure to infection.
- The doctor makes a simple surgical incision in the knee area.
- The doctor removes the damaged surfaces of the knee joint and replaces them with artificial parts (metal or plastic parts).
- The prosthesis is fixed using surgical cement.
- The incision is closed with stitches or surgical staples.
- A drainage tube may be placed at the incision site to prevent fluid buildup.
- At the end a sterile bandage or bandage is applied.
Thus, we have completed the steps of the operation, so that the period of periodic follow-up and physical therapy begins. Let us learn more about the art of the post-operative period in the next paragraph.
Post-op tips
The most important thing that you can notice after the operation to replace the knee joint for the elderly is to get rid of pain and swelling, and improve the quality of life in general, but this may require a period of time called the recovery period, and in it you must follow the following rules:
- The patient must adhere to taking the prescribed medications on time.
- Maintain regular follow-up appointments.
- Speed in starting a physical therapy program, immediately when a doctor orders.
- Sleeping on the side of the back and not sitting for long periods.
- Movement training and special medical exercises.
- Make sure to wear compression stockings if your doctor advises you to do so.
Your adherence to these instructions will help you recover and return to enjoying your normal life as soon as possible. For more advice or inquiries, you can contact us, and you will find the medical team ready to respond to all your inquiries as soon as possible.
The best center for knee replacement surgery for the elderly
The process of changing the knee joint is one of the sensitive operations that requires more precision, so before you decide on this operation, you have to look for certain factors in the center where the surgery is performed, and among the most important factors that you must look for:
- The medical team of the center should have a lot of experience in performing this type of operation.
- The center should be equipped with the latest devices that help in completing the task with the least possible surgical intervention.
- The medical team of the center should be constantly updated with the latest technologies used in this procedure, to be able to achieve the required results with the least possible complications.
- The medical care provided at the center should be at the highest level, to ensure patient comfort after the operation.
All of these factors are available at Dr. Begad Hisham Center – Lecturer and Consultant of Orthopedics, Joints and Endoscopy at the Faculty of Medicine, Kasr Al-Ainy, Fellow of the Royal College of Orthopedics and Traumatology, which makes us one of the best orthopedic surgery centers in Egypt.
Thus, we have listed for you, dear reader, the most important information about the process of replacing the knee joint for the elderly. For more information, do not hesitate to contact us and ask for help. We have a full medical team whose goal is to help you, and you must make sure that your communication with us is the first step in the journey of receiving proper treatment and getting rid of from pain.
FAQ:
Do all knee pain cases require a knee joint replacement?
No, not all cases of knee pain need knee replacement surgery. Each case must be evaluated individually and the most appropriate treatment determined.
FAQ:
- Do all knee pain cases require a knee joint replacement?
No, not all cases of knee pain need knee replacement surgery. Each case must be evaluated individually and the most appropriate treatment determined.
- Can the condition be improved without knee replacement surgery?
Yes, knee pain conditions can be improved without the need for a joint replacement. Patients can try physiotherapy, medication, and lifestyle changes to relieve pain and improve mobility, and if they don’t feel better, knee replacement surgery.
- Is the operation to replace the knee joint for the elderly safe?
Yes, the operation has high levels of safety, as the appropriate type of anesthesia is chosen for the patient, and all examinations are performed before the operation to ensure that there are no contraindications to performing the surgery.
