The knee prosthesis is one of the most sought procedures to get rid of osteoarthritis and the pain resulting thereof.
The procedure
It is important to mention that this procedure is not a trivial one and should be considered when all other processes have been exhausted. Depending on the magnitude and importance of the illness, the surgeon may recommend either of these knee prostheses:
- The full or total prosthesis: it is generally used in cases of severe or significant wear and tear. It takes into account the physiology of the knee and includes a metallic femoral element, a tibial element made of polyethylene on a metallic base and a patellar element made of polyethylene.
- The uni-compartmental prosthesis: it can be either tibial or femoral.
Before the intervention
Before planning this surgical procedure, the surgeon performs a check-up of the patient’s general state of health. He therefore runs out a series of examinations, including:
- Consultation with a cardiologist
- Blood tests
- Search for infections
- Consultation with the anesthetist, etc.
Post-operative
Stitches are usually removed 15 days after the surgery. After the procedure, the surgeon will either recommend a 3-weeks period of recovery in a rehabilitation Centre or hospitalization at the clinic.
In addition, regular consultations and check-ups are required to assess the successfulness of the surgery. Rehabilitation is also recommended, up to 3 to 5 sessions per week, for at least 6 months.
Representative patterns of the procedure
The total knee replacement
The prosthesis after surgery