Total Knee Replacement & You
If you have done everything you can to find some relief from your knee pain, but you are still experiencing knee pain, now is the time to look into total knee replacement. Unlike assistive devices, cortisone shots, modifying your activities, and so on, total knee replacement is not a band-aid solution. It will give you lasting relief from pain and a genuine return to mobility.
When you are having problems with stair climbing, walking, standing up, sitting down, and even resting comfortably, you know the time has come to make some real decisions regarding the relief of your knee pain.
Total knee replacement is the treatment of choice for this kind of pain and inconvenience. You know it is safe because it has been practiced successfully since 1968. During that time, the methods and materials used for this popular operation have just gotten better and better. In the United States, alone, there are over 581,000 knee replacement surgeries performed every year.
You may have already discussed total knee replacement surgery with your orthopedic surgeon, or perhaps you are only beginning to think about it. Whatever your situation, you will find answers to some of the most common concerns in this article.
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Knee Anatomy – A Short Lesson
Three bones make up the knee. The thigh bone, the shin bone, and the knee cap. Your orthopedic surgeon may refer to these as the femur, the tibia, and the patella – respectively. As the largest and most used joint in the body, the knee is most likely to be injured.
The bones of the knee are held together and stabilized by ligaments. These are called the medial and lateral collateral ligaments and the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments.
The thigh muscles are also an important part of the composition of the knee. The strength of the thigh muscle determines the strength and stability of the knee.
Articular cartilage forms a pad between the bones of the knee. This pad keeps the bones separated and allows them to move without grinding against each other. With this smooth cushioning your knee can move smoothly and easily. Additionally, the knee comes equipped with natural shock absorbers called the lateral menisci. These are semicircular, fibrous cartilage rings that add stability to the overall structure.
The parts of the knee are coated and lined with synovial membrane. In healthy knees, this thin membrane produces a lubricating fluid that keeps friction to a minimum.
When perfectly balanced, the knee operates smoothly and efficiently. However, it is easy for the knee to suffer injury or become the victim of arthritis. When this happens, the balance is thrown askew. The result is pain and a loss of strength and mobility.
The usual candidate for total knee replacement surgery is between the ages of sixty and eighty; however, this is not always the case. Many very young patients and many very old patients have also had successful knee replacement surgery for everything from juvenile arthritis to degenerative arthritis to injury. When your orthopedic surgeon evaluates your case, he or she will look more at your pain and your loss of mobility than at your age.
Dr. Tarlow is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon with over 20 years specializing in knee surgery. He opened his own clinic, Advanced Knee Care, with a focus on specialty patient care. Click here to learn more about Dr. Tarlow, arthroscopic surgeries and full knee replacement.
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