If you have received a diagnosis of advanced osteoarthritis of the knee joint and are experiencing debilitating knee pain, stiffness, and swelling, it is advisable to consider knee replacement as a permanent solution to your knee pain.
Knee replacement, as its name implies,is a surgical procedure in which your malfunctioned knee joint or its components are removed and replaced with an artificial joint designed to function like a healthy knee joint.
Let’s talk about the important factors you should consider to ensure your knee replacement produces optimal results.
Orthopedic Surgeon and Surgery Center
First and foremost, finding a highly trained and skilled knee surgeon specializing in knee replacement surgery is crucial. It is best to choose a surgeon who has performed many knee replacement procedures and has a proven track record of successful outcomes.
To find the right orthopedic surgeon for your knee replacement surgery, seek a referral from your primary care provider, verify the credentials and experience of the surgeon, read past patient reviews, and set up a one-on-one consultation with the surgeon.
Choosing the right surgery center is equally important. Therefore, choose a surgery center or hospital renowned for its orthopedic department and has a history of performing successful knee replacement surgeries. Before choosing a surgery center, it is important to consider factors such as patient satisfaction score, the hospital’s or surgery center’s infection rate, and the availability of pre-operative and post-operative physical therapy services. You must also consider if the orthopedic surgeon at the surgery center uses advanced techniques and tools to perform knee replacement surgeries.
Type of Knee Replacement Surgery
It is also important to consider the various options available to treat your unique knee problem, including total knee replacement surgery and partial knee replacement surgery.
In a partial knee replacement surgery, either the outside (lateral) or inside (medial) compartments of the knee joint are removed and replaced with a prosthetic, while in a total knee replacement surgery, your surgeon removes the entire joint and replaces it with a prosthetic.
Typically, the type of replacement surgery you need depends on the extent of damage to your knee joint.
Right Knee Prosthetic
A prosthetic or artificial knee joint is a device that is designed to mimic the structure and function of your damaged or worn-out knee. Typically knee prosthetic consists of a metal cap (which is also called the upper leg component), a platform (that replaces the top surface of the lower leg), and a plastic spacer (a component that replaces the joint space and meniscus and allows joint movement). A plastic cap can also be a knee prosthetic component, depending on how severely the back of your kneecap is damaged.
Different types of artificial joints, based on material and designs, can be used in knee replacement surgery. The implant components can be made of different materials, such as plastic, ceramics, or metal, and have over 150 designs.
The most suitable implant type for you will depend on the stability of the knee ligaments, any misalignment of the knee, and the condition of the muscles and bones of the knee.
Choosing the right knee prosthetic for your knee replacement can be challenging at best and impossible at worst. Therefore, it is wise to get recommendations from your orthopedic surgeon specializing in knee replacement surgery. Your orthopedic surgeon can assess different factors, including your knee condition, any allergies to materials such as metals, your- pre-op activity level, and your post-op goals to determine the right type of implant for you.
Knee Replacement in North Dakota
At The Bone & Joint Center, we have highly trained and skilled knee surgeons, Dr. Bopp and Dr. Dahl, who have built an excellent reputation for performing knee replacement surgeries with successful outcomes. Our orthopedic surgeons have a wide range of expertise from general orthopedics to joint replacements to sports medicine and have been providing top-quality orthopedic care since 1974.
To know more about our orthopedic services or to schedule a consultation with our knee surgeons, contact our staff today at (800) 424-2663 or fill out our online appointment request form.
