Total knee replacement

WHEN IS A TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT NECESSARY?

The most common cause making a total knee replacement necessary is arthritis. Our knee is under strain every day, whether we are going upstairs or when we bend down. Signs of wear usually first become noticeable in the form of joint pain from the age of 50.

Along with age, being overweight, metabolic illnesses, incorrect loading of the knees with O- or X – leg positions, accidents and lack of exercise are the most common causes of arthritis of the knee (gonarthritis).

Patients with arthritis of the knee are affected by pain in the knee and limping. A total knee replacement is only the treatment of choice when all non-surgical measures  have been exhausted and are no longer bringing about an improvement.

HOW IS A KNEE REPLACEMENT IMPLANTED?

A total knee replacement is a replacement of the natural knee joint. The damaged surface of the joint is replaced in this by an artificial joint. In a comprehensive conversation, Dr. Klotz will explain which type of replacement joint is best for the patient concerned.

The operation is performed under full or local anaesthetic. The knee joint is exposed with an incision between 10 and 20 cm long, depending on the type of artificial joint. The exhausted joint surfaces are removed. The femur and tibia are prepared with special orthopaedic tools for the planned replacement knee. Dr. Klotz only uses implants with excellent long-term results.

What operation techniques are there? 

In principle, minimally invasive procedures are preferred and regularly used. For a minimally invasive method in the knee area, the incision is made sparingly and as little muscle and tendon tissue as possible is separated. This is made possible particularly by so-called half-sleds. Loss of blood and wound pain are much lower through the careful operation access. Patients can return to their everyday lives much faster after a minimally invasive operation. Unfortunately, a minimally invasive operation is not possible for all patients. Larger incisions are necessary especially for exchange operations or where there have been previous operations with prominent scars.

UNICONDYLAR KNEE REPLACEMENT

The unicondylar knee replacement is a resurfacing off just one half of your knee. That means that only one half of your knee joint is provided with an artificial joint. The operation and rehabilitation are much faster than with a conventional total knee replacement. Young patients in particular benefit from the good knee function with a unicondylar knee replacement. Routine and operation experience are especially important with a unicondylar knee. Dr. Klotz has many years of experience in minimal-invasive implantation of the uni-knee joint.

Advantages of a unicondylar knee replacement compared to a total knee replacement:

• The operation wound is smaller than with a full prosthetic
• The rehabilitation phase is shorter
• There is greater mobility in the knee
• Shorter operation with lower blood loss
• Low loss of bone, making a later renewal operation easier and is often carried out with a conventional total replacement
• Generally higher patient satisfaction

WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT AFTER A KNEE OPERATION?

Pain management and movement therapy are the priorities directly after the operation. As a rule, you can be discharged from hospital after 5 days. Whether a stay in a rehab clinic is necessary is decided on an individual basis. Physiotherapy is important after a knee prosthetic is fitted. Here, too, you can benefit from the Maximum Care Total Joint Replacement Centre and the Rapid Recovery concept.

Dr. Klotz is one of the most experienced specialists in the field of total joint replacement.

Please get in touch. We would love to hear from you!