What is Total Knee Prosthesis?
It is applied in cases where treatments such as physical therapy, medications, and intra-articular injections are insufficient. For this reason, it is a method we generally apply to elderly people. However, total knee prosthesis can also be applied in cases of severe accidents and blows that cause extreme trauma.
To whom is Total Knee Prosthesis Applied?
The purpose of total knee prosthesis is; The aim is to reduce the pain by renewing the excessive damage in the area with an artificial knee structure. Due to the weakening and wear of cartilage and bone tissues with age, such great damage occurs between the ages of 60 and 80. For this reason, we can say that total knee prosthesis is a treatment that is mostly applied to middle ages and older people.
If there is no response from other orthopedic treatments and the person's problems in walking short distances or climbing stairs have reached disturbing levels, total knee prosthesis may be considered. At this point, the doctor decides on the prosthesis through detailed examination and imaging methods.
Materials compatible with the body are used when producing total knee prosthesis. The prosthesis, made of titanium, cobalt, chrome and metal alloy, is supported by polyethylene in the spacers. Polyethylene is a reinforced plastic structure. It is compatible with the skin and there are no allergic reactions.
How is Total Knee Prosthesis Done?
Total knee replacement is performed with spinal or general anesthesia. First of all, the patient is put to sleep with anesthesia. Afterwards, the knee is opened and the femur, tibia and patella bones are removed along with a thin bone layer. The prepared prosthesis is mounted on this area and the surgery is completed. The procedure is completed within 1 – 2 hours depending on the patient's condition and structure.
After the surgery, necessary medication and serum support is given to minimize the feeling of pain. The patient is expected to rest until he or she can walk. The day after the surgery, the patient can take short walks with a walker.
What are the Total Knee Prosthesis Exercises?
Total knee prosthesis; Pain, stinging and stinging complaints reduces significantly. The patient is now able to do activities such as short-distance walks, going up and down stairs, and running, which he could not do in the past.
Of course, regular exercise is required to keep the joint structure healthy after the prosthesis. It is recommended. With the exercises we recommend after total knee arthroplasty and movements such as light-paced walking, complete healing of the knee and strengthening of the muscles are ensured.
As time goes by, the cartilage and Wear in the joint tissues continues. For this reason, the prosthesis may separate from the bones and become dysfunctional. But it takes a long time for this to happen. If the procedure is performed on younger individuals due to trauma, regular control may be required and the condition of the prosthesis is constantly monitored.
Clot formation is the most likely outcome as a result of slowing down of blood flow in the leg. It is a serious complication. To prevent this complication, after the surgery, you should use the medications recommended by your doctor, embolism stockings and regular exercises should be emphasized. Complications generally occur due to the patient's hesitation to move after surgery.
Another risk that may arise is the risk of infection. This risk is not caused by the prosthesis, but by the surgery itself. Every surgery comes with the risk of infection. To avoid this, it will be enough to follow the doctor's recommendations verbatim and pay attention to patient care.
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