KNEE PROTHESIS

What is Knee Replacement?

Knee prosthesis is a method that has been used since the 60's and is an artificial joint made of specially shaped materials. It provides patients with problems in their knees and joints to move painlessly and more comfortably. Knee pain is one of the biggest problems of elderly people. Many complain that their knees and legs hurt. But you don't have to put up with these pains. You can get rid of your pain with knee prosthesis. 

When Should Knee Replacement Be Done?

There are two important reasons for arthritis knee replacement surgery. 

1- Pain-free walking distance of the patient falling below 300 meters, 

2- If the patient has to use pain medication every day, a prosthesis is required. Kidney and liver damage may occur in patients who have to take painkillers every day. 

It is beneficial to perform knee prosthesis surgery in order to increase the walking distance of the patient and prevent the need for pain relief. 

In Which Situations Is Knee Replacement Performed?

Knee prosthesis surgery can be applied to people who have intense pain in their knees, who cannot relieve knee pain despite the application of many methods, who have difficulties in walking, even doing their daily work, and patients with problems in joint cartilage. In cases of knee calcification, knee replacement surgery can be applied in fractures and injuries. You can get more comprehensive information about the surgery by searching the internet for knee replacement surgery. The price of knee replacement surgery is also more affordable due to the increase in methods and the increase in practice. 

Who are Candidates for Knee Replacement?

Total knee replacement is usually applied to patients with severe knee calcification. Most patients with knee replacement are between 60 and 80 years old; however, each patient is evaluated separately by the doctor; The decision of surgery is made not by age, but by the degree of pain and disability of the patient. There are successful prosthesis applications even for young patients who are 16 years old and elderly patients who are 90 years old. The price of knee replacement surgery is also more affordable due to the increase in methods and the increase in practice. 

What Should Be Expected from an Artificial Knee?

An important point when deciding on a total knee prosthesis is to know what this surgery can and cannot provide. An artificial knee should not be expected to be completely like a normal knee. However, with a well-performed surgery, your pain will be at least 20-25 years. If you do not have other accompanying health problems, you can easily do most of the normal daily activities. With your doctor's instructions, you can participate in sports activities with your artificial knee and even do some heavy work. 90% of patients with limited range of motion in their knees have a better range of motion after total knee prosthesis. However, you should know that you cannot have a super athlete performance with the prosthesis and that you cannot do more than you can do before the calcification develops. After the surgery, you will not be able to do contact sports such as football, basketball, you will be able to play tennis and run short distances on the condition that you do not force yourself. 

Is There Any Alternative To Knee Prosthesis?

Since the knee joint is damaged, patients with walking difficulties and severe pain can undergo joint freezing surgery other than knee replacement surgery. Joint freezing surgery is preferred by people who physically do heavy work. However, if two knee joints are damaged together, it is inconvenient to freeze both knees. Nowadays, joint freezing surgery is gradually decreasing as it causes severe movement limitation. People prefer movable knee joint instead of frozen knee joint. You can get comprehensive information about the interventions performed by watching the knee replacement surgery video. 

How Long Can Prosthetics Be Used?

The duration of use of the prosthesis may vary depending on the technique applied and the patient's use. The prosthesis attached with a good method can last approximately fifteen years. Of course, there are situations that affect the life of the prosthesis. The life of the prosthesis can be shortened in people with osteoporosis. 

Does Total Knee Prosthesis Have a Life?

The metal and plastic parts that make up the total knee prosthesis wear over time due to the friction that occurs during movement. With the body's response to metal and plastic parts that are too small to be seen by wear and are not visible to the eye, prostheses can separate and loosen from the bone they are attached to. The lifetime of knee prostheses, which are made using appropriate surgical techniques and modern prosthesis designs, have been extended to 25-30 years today. Loosening prostheses can be removed and replaced with a second surgery in most patients, but the life of the second prosthesis is not as long as the first.