What is a Knee Replacement?
Knee replacement, also called arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure to resurface a knee damaged by arthritis. The knee is a hinge joint which provides motion at the point where the thigh meets the lower leg. The thigh bone (or femur) abuts the large bone of the lower leg (tibia) at the knee joint. During a total knee replacement, Dr. Salinsky repairs your knee joint by covering the thighbone with a metal covering and encasing the lower leg bone (tibia) with plastic. The prosthesis replaces the rough and irregular surfaces of the worn bone with smooth surfaces. Depending on the condition of the knee cap portion of the knee joint, Dr. Salinsky surgeon also replaces the under surface of your kneecap with a plastic surface, in order to further reduce pain and provide a smoother functioning joint.
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Who is a candidate for a Knee Replacement?
There are no absolute age or weight restrictions for total knee replacement surgery, although it’s typically recommended for older people as young, physically active people are more likely to wear the joint out. The earlier you have a knee replacement, the greater the chance you will eventually need further surgery. However, there is some evidence that replacing the knee joint before it becomes very stiff leads to a better outcome. Most total knee replacements are carried out on people between the ages of 50 and 80, and Dr. Salinsky evaluates patients individually. You will need to be well enough to cope with both a major operation and the rehabilitation afterwards.
Below is a video from the American Academy of Orthpaedic Surgeons.
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00389
What are the benefits of Knee Replacement?
Total knee replacement can increase mobility and decrease pain in people who have an injured or arthritic knee joint. More than 90% of people who have total knee replacement surgery experience a dramatic reduction of knee pain and a significant improvement in the ability to perform common activities of daily living.
If you are experiencing pain and discomfort in your daily activities, now is the time to talk to Dr. Salinsky about your unique case. Many patients go on for years suffering different types of aches and pains related to mobility. By consulting with Dr. Salinsky – you will be able to have a clear diagnosis and clinical plan to help you feel better, thereby, improving your quality of life. If you are feeling discomfort in any of the areas described above, call Dr. Salinsky’s office at 352-596-0900 to discuss your individual situation.