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Total Knee Replacement

This article was published on: 04/6/17 7:09 AM

Knee replacement, or knee arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure whereby the diseased knee joint is replaced with artificial material. The knee is a hinge joint which provides motion at the point where the thigh meets the lower leg. the weight-bearing surfaces of the knee joint to relieve pain and disability. It is commonly performed for osteoarthritis and, sometimes, for other knee deformities such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. In patients with severe disfigurement from advanced rheumatoid arthritis, trauma, or long-standing osteoarthritis, the surgery could be more complicated and might carry higher risk. A knee replacement might be required if you are suffering from a stiff and painful knee which is making it difficult to complete even the simplest of activities. This surgery is generally reserved for people over age 50 who have severe osteoarthritis.

As per the data reveal that both hip and knee replacements have an annual failure rate between 0.5-1.0%. This means that if you have your total joint replaced today, you have a 90-95% chance that your joint will last 10 years, and a 80-85% that it will last 20 years. Knee replacements eventually wear out. Unfortunately, an artificial knee is not as durable as your own knee. Because the knee replacement implants are made of metal and plastic, over time, these materials begin to wear, just like the rubber on your car tires.

While knee replacements are designed to last a long time, they will not last forever. But, studies prove that knee replacements can last more than 20 years. A recent study discovers that the implants still function in 96% of patients, 20 years after being implanted. This is certainly one of the better reports. The goal of a knee replacement should be to achieve several decades of a functioning knee. There are various factors which determine the longevity of knee replacement. Some of these factors include:

  • 1. Age of the Patient – Younger patients require a knee replacement to last much longer. Moreover, younger patients tend to be more active. Therefore, patients who have knee replacement in their 50s or younger can usually expect to require a revision knee replacement in their lifetime.
  • 2. Patient Activities – Some activities may not be appropriate for patients with a knee replacement. While these activities may not be painful or difficult, they may be placing excessive stress on the knee replacement, causing the parts to wear out more quickly.
  • 3. Patient Weight – Weight plays an extremely important role. The more an individual weighs, the more stress that is placed on the joint replacement implant. Maintaining a normal body weight is critically important when trying to make a joint replacement last. Appropriate exercises can be helpful in maintaining a healthy knee replacement.