4 Main Types of Knee Replacement Surgery

There are 4 main types of knee replacement surgery:

1. Total knee replacement
This is the most common form. Your surgeon replaces the surfaces of the thigh bone and shin bone that connects to the knee.

2. Partial knee replacement. 
If arthritis affects only one side of your knee, this surgery may be a possibility. However, it’s only right for you if you have strong knee ligaments. Partial knee replacement can be performed through a smaller cut than is needed for total knee replacement.

3. Kneecap replacement. 
This replaces only the under-surface of the kneecap, but some surgeons advise against this procedure, because total knee replacement surgery has a higher rate of success.

4. Complex (or revision) knee replacement. 
This procedure may be needed if you have very severe arthritis or if you’ve already had two or three knee replacement surgeries.

Source by -www.webmd.com

If you are looking for total knee replacement surgery in Sydney, Australia.. !! contact Dr. Simon Coffey. He is well known for total & Partial knee replacement surgery in Australia.

Arthroscopy Knee

Patients with certain types of meniscal tears and cartilage damage are prime candidates for the minimally invasive surgical intervention called Arthroscopy Knee diseased by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis can also be treated using arthroscopy.

The following covers the different types of treatments for meniscal tears and cartilage damage with a partial focus on arthroscopy assisted procedures.

Meniscal Tears

The most common non-surgical treatments of meniscal tears are:

• Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation, (RICE)
• Non-Steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines

The outer third of the meniscus has a healthy supply of blood so can heal successfully without the trimming of smaller tears using arthroscopy. Though the inner two thirds of meniscus plates have a much reduced blood supply meaning tears in the region are more likely to require arthroscopic intervention.

For surgical treatment of meniscal tears there is:

• Arthroscopy: a miniature camera is inserted through a small incision to provide a view of the inside of the knee. Miniature surgical instruments are then inserted in separate incisions to trim or repair the tear.

Cartilage damage

As cartilage does not heal easily of its own accord, surgical techniques have been developed to assist cartilage regrowth. Cartilage restoration can relieve pain and delay the onset of arthritis. Arthroscopy has many different applications in treating cartilage damage, such as:

• Microfracture: A small pointed tool called an awl is used to create small holes in the subchondral bone. This stimulates new blood supply and cell growth in the cartilage.

• Drilling: stimulates the production of healthy cartilage. Multiple holes are made in the subchondral bone using drills or wires to initiate a healing response. Though the tools used are less precise than microfracture. Arthroscopy.

• Abrasion Arthroplasty: instead of using drills or wires, high-speed burrs remove the damaged cartilage and reach the subchondral bone. Arthroscopy.

• Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation: using arthroscopy of the knee this procedure extracts healthy cartilage tissue, then grows the cells in a laboratory over 4-5 weeks. Using open knee surgery, the cells are the re-implanted in the site of the damaged cartilage. Arthroscopy and arthrotomy, (open surgery).

• Osteochondral Autograft Transplantation: healthy cartilage is lifted using a cylindrical plug from a non-weight-bearing area of the knee joint, then transferred to the defective area and pressed into place. A single plug or multiple plugs can be used. Arthroscopy and open surgery.

• Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation: when the defect is larger, instead of autografts, allografts use tissue grafts taken from cadaver donors. Allografts usually use open knee surgery.

Knee Surgery: A Solution To Avoid Knee Arthritis

Painful knees are a common problem in middle-aged people and elders, and the most common cause of knee pain in this population is Knee Arthritis. There are few treatments for knee arthritis early can help alleviate pain and return people to their daily activities. As some point, arthritis of the knee begins to interfere with the quality of life to the point that something has to change. When treatments such as Anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections and physical therapy, do not improve the situation total knee replacement may be an option. The most general reason of chronic knee pain and disability is arthritis. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and traumatic arthritis are the most common. Osteoarthritis generally occurs after age 50 and often in an individual with a family history of arthritis. The cartilage that cushions the bones of the knee softens and wears away. The bones rub together, causing pain and stiffness in the knee. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which the synovial membrane becomes thickened and inflamed, producing too much synovial fluid over-fills the joint space. This chronic inflammation can damage cartilage and eventually cause cartilage loss, pain and stiffness. Traumatic arthritis can follow a serious knee injury. A knee fracture or severe tears in the ligaments of the knee can damage the articular cartilage over time, causing knee pain and limited function of the knee.

Recent Advances in Knee Joint Replacement Surgery: Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has developed knee replacement surgery, and many fields of medicine. Its key feature is that it uses specific methods and instrumentation to let surgeons to execute major surgery without any large cut. MIS requires a much smaller incision, three inches to five years, compared to standard approach and the incision, which is usually eight to twelve inches. The smaller, less invasive approaches result in less tissue trauma, allowing the surgeon to work between the quadriceps muscle fibers rather than requiring an incision through the tendon. It may lead to less pain, shorter recovery time and better motion due to reduced formation of scar tissue. When a full knee surgery is performed, the bone and cartilage at the end of the thighbone (femur) and upper shin bone (tibia) are removed. This is done with accuracy to craft accurate surfaces to accommodate the implant. A metal and plastic implant knee replacement is put to work as a new knee joint. Depending on the condition of the cartilage on the undersurface of the kneecap, this may also be replaced.

The knee prosthesis implants can wear out over time. The implant is made of metal and plastic, and while these implants are designed to last many years, all of which take time. Studies have shown knee replacement implants are functioning well in 90-95% of patients between 10 and 15 years after the knee surgery. Most full knee replacements last 20 years and many of them last longer. However, it is important to understand that there are possible complications of knee replacement surgery may reduce the life of the implant. Because of this, total knee replacement should be reserved for elderly patients with significant symptoms of arthritis.

Knee Replacement Surgery: A Quarterback’s Success Story

Mr. Ken Matthews of West Beverly High is walking on cloud nine and resting on his laurels. Why won’t he? He is the campus figure of West Beverly High! Everything is going on his favor. College scholarship on the loom and he is hailed as the football quarterback of the Falcons; West Beverly’s undefeated football team. Aside from that, Ken has been a product endorser of a sports energy drink for 3 consecutive years.

Everything is going well with Ken Matthews until he met a tragic vehicular accident one night after attending his girlfriend’s gig in Embassy a popular club along Hollywood drive. The vehicular accident caused him his knees. The athletic doctor in West Beverly High ordered him to undergo a total knee replacement surgery, for Ken to have the chance to save his football career.

After 6 weeks of his knee surgery, he undergone rehabilitation and ordered to rest for 8 months. And then 12 months have passed. Mr. Ken Matthews is gradually coming back to the sports circuit. He just signed another contract for his product endorsement and he is taking up remedial classes to make up for his absence in class. Most importantly his college scholarship in UCLA is still in the bag.

His girlfriend Jessica Wakefeld (pronounced as Wakefield), was by his side all the time during his recuperation.

West Beverly’s quarterback is beginning to let his star shine again. Indeed the complete knee replacement he went through was a success. His orthopaedic surgeon and West Beverly’s sports physician has contributed a lot to make this dynamic young man achieve his dreams.

Mr. Ken Matthews thought after the accident, that it was the end of the road for him. His knee surgery has taken away that sad thought.