Knee replacement procedure is a common orthopedic surgical procedure that is usually indicated for the intolerable pain and disability of the knee joint brought about with the occurrence of severe arthritis. Knee replacement surgery is one of the most important advances in orthopedic surgery, according to the New England Musculoskeletal Institute. After the first performance of knee replacement in 1968, numerous improvements in the surgical materials and surgical procedure have greatly increased its effectiveness in giving a more comfortable life to patients who suffer because of arthritis.
More Durable Materials
According to Cleveland Clinic, the polyethylene used for knee replacement usually only lasts for around 15 years because of wear. However, with the advent of a newer kind of material, a ceramic-surfaced oxidized Zr alloy, which is a material with greater strength than its predecessor, knee replacement material may now last for 20 to 25 years.
Less Invasive Surgical Procedure
Total knee replacement is the usual procedure of choice in patients with severe, painful and disabling arthritis of the knee. The procedure involves the removal and replacement of damaged bone surfaces and cartilage with a prosthesis, or artificial knee bone, to restore the alignment and function of the knee. However, a newer, less invasive total knee replacement procedure is becoming increasingly popular. This newer surgical procedure has a smaller incision, approximately half the size of the incision made with the conventional procedure. The advantages of this newer procedure include quicker rehabilitation, less pain and shorter hospitalization. Only non-obese patients who have reasonable motion without significant deformity of the knee can undergo this procedure, according to the New England Musculoskeletal Institute.
Computer-Assisted Surgical Procedure
Computer-assisted surgical procedures are becoming an increasingly popular technique among orthopedic surgeons because of more accurate kneebone alignment results, which is critical for the longevity of total knee replacements, according to a 2006 article published in the "ABCM Symposium Series in Bioengineering." Because of this high-precision alignment, less complications and better outcomes have been observed.
References
- "Rheumatology"; Who Should Have Priority for a Knee Joint Replacement?; G.M. Woolhead et al.; May 2001
- New England Musculoskeletal Institute: Total Joint Replacement Conditions and Treatments
- Cleveland Clinic: Advances in Knee Replacement Surgery
- "ABCM Symposium Series in Bioengineering "; Advances in Total Knee Arthroplasty; R.T. Carvalho; 2006
- UCSF Medical Center: Knee Replacement
