Knee replacement surgery
Knee Replacement Surgery is a highly successful operation for relieving the pain of knee arthritis. Modern implants are lasting longer, and the lifespan of a knee replacement is now shown to have 82% still fine at 25 years in a publication in the Lancet in 2019. This is a lot longer than was previously thought.
A nice figure that has also emerged from joint replacement registries is that from about the age of 63 years, on average, one will not need another knee replacement.
That being said. Just because one is below this age, does not mean on cannot have surgery. It comes down to severity of symptoms, and severity of arthritis on Xray. This is the assessment made what you see your surgeon to be considered for treatment for the knee arthritis.
There are numerous different types of knee replacement. The vast majority of which are highly successful. I use the Vanguard Total Knee replacement by Zimmer Biomet. This has an excellent long term track record in national and international registries. It entails replacement of the knee surfaces with metal components, and a polyethylene spacer between the 2, as well as a patellar button to replace the knee cap.
Patient pathway
So what happens when you are listed for a knee replacement?
- You have a medical pre-assessment to ensure your optimum fitness for surgery.
- You come in on the day of surgery.
- The operation lasts approximately one hour.
- It can take place under general anaesthetic, or with a spinal injection, or the two combined.
- A specific pain relief pathway (the Enhanced Recovery Programme) is undertaken post operatively to ensure your maximum comfort.
- You can expect to start mobilising day one post surgery.
- You will be able to put your full weight through your operated side (initially with a frame, then crutches, and eventually progress to no mobility aids).
- An XRay and blood test are taken after surgery.
- You can reasonably expect to regain independent walking (with crutches) on the ward on day 2-4 post operatively such that you can safely go home to your own environment.
- Most people have rid themselves of their crutches before 6 weeks are up.
- You will be reviewed at 6 weeks post operative, and subsequent reviews if required, to ensure your recovery is proceeding as planned.
How do you know how to choose a surgeon for your knee replacement?'
This is actually a complex question. You obviously need to be able to trust your surgeon. And have a good working relationship with them. And the truth is, you can only really know this when you meet face to face. You should read reviews, for example the Google reviews online. You can get an impression from the website. You can get an indication of competence by how long surgeons have been in clinical practice without untoward events. And you could even get word of mouth recommendations from people who have already been treated by your surgeon. But you really need to meet properly, to be able to make up your own mind, and that is a good old fashioned face to face review appointment.