It’s no secret that good knees are an essential part of a healthy and active lifestyle. However, when injury or arthritis occurs, your ability to bend and flex your knees can become limited due to damage, inflammation and pain.
Over time, the damage progresses and life becomes more difficult and painful. Knee replacement in Louisiana is a common solution that provides dramatic pain relief for more than 90 percent of patients.
The vast majority of knee replacement procedures are used to treat osteoarthritis. The procedure, which was introduced in 1968, relies on a mechanical implant to replace severely arthritic or damaged knee joints.
According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, more than 600,000 knee replacements took place in the U.S. last year, and that number is expected to grow into the millions within the next twenty years. Total knee replacement (TKR) is considered one of the safest and most effective procedures in orthopedics.
There are two different types of knee replacements – total and partial.
Total Knee Replacement:Total Knee Replacement in Louisiana makes up about 90 percent of all knee replacement procedures. During TKR, a surgeon repairs your knee joint by covering the thighbone with a metal covering and encasing the shinbone with plastic. This prosthesis replaces the rough and irregular surfaces of the worn bone with smooth surfaces.
After the procedure, you should expect to spend three to five days at the hospital where you will begin weight-bearing therapy. In addition, you will undergo some combination of physical and occupational therapy starting at the hospital. After discharge, you will likely go home for recovery and rehabilitation.
Partial Knee Replacement in Louisiana:If you receive a partial knee replacement, your surgeon will replace only the part of your knee that’s damaged or arthritic. The advantage to this approach is that it requires a smaller incision, involves less bone and blood loss and consequently, produces less pain. Patients undergoing partial knee replacement tend to experience a faster recovery time than those who have TKR.
Risks, Complications, and Considerations of Knee Replacement in Louisiana
Today, very few patients experience complications. The most common surgical complication is infection, which has been documented to occur in fewer than 2 percent of patients. When complications do occur, they may include infection, blood clots, a problem with the implant, or persistent pain and damage to the blood vessels surrounding the knee as a result of the surgery.
Thoroughly discuss the benefits and risks of TKR with your Louisiana surgeon before making any decision about a procedure. You may also want to evaluate other considerations, such as the cost of surgery, follow-up care, and time off from work, hospital quality, and what to expect from your new knee.
TKR is an increasingly appealing and viable solution if you’re dealing with chronic knee pain or unable to participate in common activities. Approximately 90 percent of the replacement joints last 10 years, and about 80 percent function for 20 years.
There’s a high probability that you will once again be able to participate in activities such as walking, bicycling, golf, tennis and swimming. As the pain subsides and the ability to use your knee returns, your quality of life will most likely improve.
Wondering if you’re a candidate for a knee replacement in Louisiana? Call our office today to schedule a consultation and let’s discuss your goals and options for treatment!
Althea Carter is an aspiring writer and storyteller from Kentucky. Her passion for literature and storytelling began at a young age, and now she is an avid blogger and author, sharing her experiences and stories with readers from around the world. When she’s not creating content for her blog, Althea loves nothing more than exploring the complexities of the human experience through theatre, reading, painting, and travelling. She hopes her words and art can inspire others to create, explore, and experience the world around them.