What is Knee Replacement Surgery? Understanding Resurfacing and Quality of Life

Total knee replacement surgery is generally called knee replacement surgery, but in a way, it should actually be called “resurfacing”. This is because you do not cut the entire bone and replace it; instead, you only resurface the worn-out part of the bone.

When is the surgery necessary? This surgery is generally for “end-stage disease,” meaning the knee is completely worn out. It is considered when:

• All other attempts and options have been exhausted and were not successful.
• The patient’s day-to-day life has become very difficult and their quality of life is severely affected.
• The patient is in reasonable health and has the age to walk for another 10 or 20 years.

Is it successful? This procedure has been performed for more than 50 years, with records dating back to 1976 (such as Swedish knee arthroplasty records) showing how the surgeries are doing today. Independent organizations publish trustworthy results on these surgeries.

For the majority of patients, this is a successful surgery that gives a good quality of life. Pain decreases by 90%, and patients can walk well. There is a chance of the replacement lasting for 15, 20, or even 25 years.

Common Doubts and Fears It is natural for anyone to be afraid of major surgery. Common questions include:

• Pain: Patients worry about pain during surgery and physiotherapy.
• Cost: It is an expensive surgery because many steps are taken to prevent infections, including using high-quality theaters, teams, and implants.
• Complications: While there is a risk of complications (perhaps one or two out of 100 people), 95 people might get better.

A Choice for Quality of Life Ultimately, this is a “quality of life” surgery, not a life-saving or limb-saving surgery. It is not essential that you must do it; it is a choice. A doctor will think many times—just as they would for their own mother—before suggesting it, ensuring it is really necessary. When the quality of life is badly affected, this surgery helps people get back to a normal life.