Knee Replacement Success Rate

Knee Replacement is also called as Arthroplasty. Knee Replacement Surgery is done when parts of the knee joints gets damaged or degenerated. This damaged parts should be resurfaced and placed with man made implants. Knee Replacement Surgery is the most common Orthopedic Surgery. The most common reason for Knee Replacement is Osteoarthritis. Let us discuss about Osteoarthritis, what are the reasons for causing Osteoarthritis, and etc.

Osteoarthritis:

The most common reason for joint replacement or knee replacement is Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis means breakdown of knee joint cartilage which leads to severe swelling, pain and stiffness at the knee joint. It can attack any parts of the body like fingers, base of the thumb, hip, knee etc. But the most common part for this to attack is Knee.

Causes of Osteoarthritis:

If a person is having previous joint injury, then he is at high risk of having Osteoarthritis. However there are other reasons also like abnormal limb development, abnormal joint development and other factors. Person who is overweight, who is having leg differences in length, person who is having more stress on joints are at high risk of attacking Osteoarthritis.  

Treatment:

Typically treatment includes, exercises which reduce stress, diet to reduce over weight, medication for pain and etc. If the person is taking medication, but still feeling the same pain, then he should get consultation from the Orthopedic Doctor. And for this condition Joint Replacement may help to relieve the pain.

Statistics of Osteoarthritis Around World:

There are approximately 3.3% of the world population who are suffering from Osteoarthritis. And it mainly occurs in the aged people above 50 years. In recent survey it is clear that, people around 60 years, there are 18% of females and about 10% of the males who are suffering with Osteoarthritis.  

Statistics of Osteoarthritis in India:

Osteoarthritis is the second most regular joint infection with a commonness of 22% to 39% in India. OA is more typical in ladies compared to men. About, 45% of women beyond 65 years old will have indications while 70% of those more than 65 years show radiological proof of OA.

Knee Replacement History

Knee Replacement was 1st performed in the year 1968. From then to till now, there is lot of improvement in surgery techniques and materials used in the surgery. Knee Replacement is the most commonly performed surgery around the world. According to a survey there are more than 25000 Knee replacement surgeries alone in Australia per an year and 600000 knee replacements are done in United States each ear.

• In 1860, German Surgeon, Themistocles Gluck, implanted the first primitive hinge joints made of ivory.
• Amid the mid 1960s, John Charnley’s established metal-on-polyethylene total hip arthroplasty motivated the advancement of the cutting edge all out knee replacement. Frank Gunston, from indistinguishable medical clinic from Charnley, proceeded to structure an unhinged knee that supplanted both the average and parallel sides of the joint with discrete condylar segments.
• The metal-on-polyethylene condylar structure which totally supplanted the femoral and tibial articulating surfaces, was sought after all through the mid 1970s. The outcome was an embed that depended on part geometry and delicate tissue parity to give dependability and a huge articulating surface zone to spread burden and limit polyethylene wear. Enhancements in part materials, geometry and obsession proceeded all through the 1980s.
• Headways in progressively exact measuring, the choice of patella femoral substitution, better instrumentation just as parts that permit an expanded scope of movement and a lower wear rate have since been created and executed.

How successful is Knee Replacement Surgery

Knee Replacement Surgery is the most common surgery performed. Knee surgery is done when, part of the knee joint or total knee joints get damaged. These parts are resurfaced and placed with the artificial implants. By doing knee replacement, patients get relief from pain and they can do all their daily activities without any difficult. There is also an myth that, after performing knee replacement surgery, the patients are not supposed to bend their knees, sit on the floor etc. But that is not true. As the technology is growing and so many surgical techniques were invented, patient can even sit on the floor and can continue their household chores.

According to the recent survey it is shown that, 95% of the knee replacement surgeries are success in most of the cases.

How safe is Knee Replacement Surgery

When a person is having severe pain in knee joint because of previous injury, break down of cartilage probably known as Osteoarthritis and etc, Orthopedic Doctor suggest you for Knee Replacement Surgery.

After performing Knee Replacement Surgery, patient can live a normal life. He/she can do his daily activities without any complications. The main and important thing is pain gets relieved after surgery.

Recent survey is also showing that, knee replacement is the most common surgery and there 95% success rate in this surgery. Depending upon the implants used, the artificial knee joint can last upto 20 years. However, there are some patients who had their Knee Replacement 30 years back and still not having any complications.

Considering all the above statements and points. If a person is suffering with Knee Joint pain, then with doctor advise he/she should undergo Knee Replacement Surgery and it is safe. Unless in some conditions like post surgery care, medication, physiotherapy care, infections etc, patient can lead his life without any knee pain after replacement.

About Author:

Dr. Sudhir Kumar Reddy holds eminent qualifications, having obtained credentials as MS (Orthopaedics) from AIIMS, and M.Ch.Ortho from University of Dundee, U.K.

LinkedIn Profile of Dr. Sudhir Kumar Reddy.