| Replacing a worn
knee joint |
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| A problem knee |
Preparing
for Surgery |
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| Surgery Can Help |
Preparing
the Bone |
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| Benefits of Knee Replacement |
Joining
the New Parts |
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| How the Knee Works |
The
Surgical Procedure |
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| A Healthy Knee |
Your
Hospital Stay |
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| A Damaged Knee |
Special
Therapies |
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| Osteoarthritis |
Gaining
Strength |
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| Inflammatory Arthritis |
Walking
Again |
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| Injury |
Clearing
Your Lungs |
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| Is Surgery Right for you
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During
Your Recovery |
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| Your Medical History |
Build
Muscle Strength |
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| Your Physical Exam |
Quad
Set |
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| X-rays |
Improve
Joint Motion |
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| Your Treatment Plan |
Sitting
Knee Bends |
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| Getting Ready for Surgery |
See
Your Surgeon |
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| Prepare at Home |
Avoiding
Risky Moves |
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| Arrange for Help |
Returning
to Activity |
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 Replacing
a worn knee joint |
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| You use your knee every
time you take a step. Because of this, living with
a worn or injured knee joint can be painful and
frustrating. Even simple things, such as squatting
to pick up the morning paper, may cause pain. But
you don't have to live this way. In many cases,
a knee surgeon can replace the damaged knee joint.
The surgery is safe and effective. For many people,
having a total knee replacement means a return to
pain free movement. This booklet will help you learn
what knee replacement means for you. It can also
help answer many of your questions.
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| A
problem knee |
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| No matter what your age,
a problem with the knee joint may keep you away from
activities you enjoy. Pain and stiffness may even
limit the daily tasks you can do. Problems with
the knee joint tend to build up over time. Your
knee pain may be caused by any of the following
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- A bad injury that did not heal properly.
- A chronic illness
- Wear and tear from years of constant use
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| Surgery
Can Help |
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You may not have to live
with knee pain for the rest of your life. Total
knee replacement surgery almost always reduces joint
pain. During this surgery, your damaged knee joint
is replaced with an artificial joint (called a prosthesis).
Surgery can't make you young again, but it can bring
real benefits.
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| Benefits
of Knee Replacement |
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After a total knee replacement,
you can look forward to moving more easily. Most
people gain all of the benefits listed below. Knee
replacement surgery almost always :
Stops or greatly reduces joint pain. Increases leg
strength. Without knee pain, you'll be able to use
your legs more. This will build up your muscles.
Improves your quality of life by allowing you to
do daily tasks and low-impact activities in greater
comfort.
Provides years of easier movement. Most total knee
replacements last for many years.
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| How
the Knee Works |
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| A healthy knee bends
easily. The joint absorbs stress and glides smoothly.
This allows you to walk, squat, and turn without
pain. But when the knee is damaged, the joint may
lose its ability to cushion stress. You may feel
pain during movement. Sometimes a damaged knee joint
will swell and hurt even when you are at rest. |
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| A
Healthy Knee |
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| The knee is a hinge joint,
formed where the thighbone and shinbone met. When
the knee is healthy, the joint moves freely. This
is because the joint is covered with slippery tissue
and powered by larger muscles. |
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- Cartilage is a layer of
smooth, soft tissue. It covers the ends of the
thighbone, shinbone, and it lines the underside
of the kneecap. Healthy cartilage absorbs stress
and allows the knee to glide easily.
- Ligaments are another type
of soft tissue. They hold the bones of the joint
together.
- Muscles power the knee and
leg for movement.
- Tendons attach the muscles
to the bones.
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| A
Damaged Knee |
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| When one or more parts
of the knee are damaged, joint movements suffer.
Over time, cartilage starts to crack or wear away.
Because cartilage cannot fully repair itself, the
damage may keep increasing. At first, your knee
may just be a little stiff. But as the bones of
the joint begin rubbing together, you're likely
to feel pain. |
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| Osteoarthritis |
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| Years of normal use can
cause cartilage to crack and wear away (Osteoarthritis).
As exposed bones rub together, they become rough
and pitted. The joint grinds. Being overweight or
having an alignment problem, such as knocked or
bowed knees, puts extra force on the joint. This
may speed up the damage. |
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| Inflammatory
Arthritis |
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| A chronic disease, such
as rheumatoid arthritis or gout, can cause swelling
and heat (inflammation) in the joint lining. As
the disease progresses, cartilage may be worn away
and the joint may stiffen. |
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| Injury |
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| A bad fall or blow to
the knee can injure the joint. If the injury does
not heal properly, extra force may be placed on
the joint. Over time, this can cause the cartilage
to wear away (traumatic arthritis). |
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| Is
Surgery Right for you ? |
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| Your doctor may have
tried to reduce your knee pain with medications,
You may even have had minor surgery (arthroscopy)
to help treat the problem. But if this didn't help
enough, total joint replacement might be right for
you. To find out, your surgeon will evaluate your
knee joint. You'll have a full exam and x-rays.
When forming a treatment plan, your surgeon thinks
about how surgery can best benefit you over your
lifetime. |
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| Your
Medical History |
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| Your surgeon will ask
you about any past medical problems. He or she is
likely to ask where your knee hurts and what makes
the pain worse. Tell your surgeon about any other
joint problems or any injuries to your knee or leg.
If any surgery seems likely, be sure to mention
any past problems with anesthesia or bleeding. |
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| Your
Physical Exam |
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Your surgeon will fully
examine your knee. He or she will feel for swelling
around the joint. Nearby muscles and tendons may
also be checked. The joint itself will be tested
for strength, stability, and range of motion. Your
surgeon may also look for other problems, such as
a pinched nerve, that may be causing pain in or
near the knee.
The range of motion
in your knee joint will be tested. Your surgeon
wants to know how far the joint moves, where movement
gets stiff, and when you feel pain.
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| X-rays |
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| X-rays will be taken
to provide an image of your knee joint. An x-ray
may show changes in the size and shape of the joint.
A build up of bone (bone spur), a cyst, or pitting
in the bone may also show up. These problems often
form where cartilage has worn away. X-rays can also
help your surgeon plan your knee replacement. He
or she may use x-rays to decide exactly where in
the bone to place the prosthesis. |
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| Your
Treatment Plan |
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| Your surgeon uses the
results of your exam and tests to form a treatment
plan that is right for you. Depending on your age
and the amount of damage to your knee, surgery may
offer the best answer to your problem. A total knee
replacement lasts many years, and it can often be
repeated if the first prosthesis wears out. But
if you are still fairly young, your surgeon may
suggest delaying surgery. In this case, medications
or arthroscopy may help control your symptoms until
the time is right for joint replacement. |
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| Getting
Ready for Surgery |
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| Be sure to see your primary
care doctor or dentist. Treating health and dental
problems ahead of time helps improve healing after
a joint replacement. If you're a smoker, do your
best to stop or cut down. Your surgery risk and
recovery rate will improve. Stop taking aspirin
or blood-thinning tablets, at least 4-5 days before
surgery. |
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| Prepare
at Home |
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| Make life easier and
safer after surgery. Reduce household hazards now.
Also, limit the amount of reaching and stair climbing
you'll have to do. Try these tips. |
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| Arrange
for Help |
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| After your knee replacement,
you won't be able to drive for the first few weeks.
Perhaps a family member or friend can deliver groceries
and help you run errands. If you live alone, ask
someone to stay with you for a few days after surgery.
By planning ahead now, you'll have less to worry
about during recovery. |
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