Knee arthroplasty or total knee replacement in Dnipro

A knee arthroplasty is a knee replacement surgery that replaces a damaged or worn-out knee with an artificial joint. It is used when a destruction of bone and cartilage tissue is causing pain and a significant deterioration in quality of life or does not respond to conservative treatment.

A prosthesis completely follows the anatomical shape of a joint and consists of special components that are biologically compatible with the body. When properly installed, such prostheses serve up to 25 years. The surgery allows you to completely restore the function of a lost joint.

Indications for a knee replacement surgery

The indications, that a doctor may recommend knee replacement for, include:

osteoarthritis,
osteoarthritis,
rheumatoid arthritis,
knee injuries such as fractures or ligament injuries that have led to knee joint degeneration,
a joint dysplasia,
a systemic lupus erythematosus,
an ankylosing spondylitis,
an aseptic necrosis,
neoplasms in a joint area,
a ligament deformation.

An orthopedic doctor can prescribe knee replacement surgery only after a thorough diagnosis of a patient’s condition and checking a medical history.

Contraindications to a knee replacement

A knee surgery using endoprosthetic may be contraindicated in the following cases:

an infection in a knee joint,
cardiovascular diseases,
problems with blood circulation,
obesity,
an allergic reaction to materials used during surgery,
a mental illness,
acute or chronic osteomyelitis,
tuberculosis,
insufficient mobility of a patient.

The doctor talks in detail about all possible risks and contraindications during the consultation.

Diagnostic methods for knee replacement at N1 Clinic in Dnepr

At N1 Clinic, the orthopedic surgeon begins the consultation by collecting an anamnesis and examining a knee joint. This way, the specialist can determine the extent of damage to the joint and identify other possible problems, swelling, or tenderness.

For an accurate diagnosis, the orthopedic doctor will need X-rays in several projections, as well as a CT or MRI examination. If these diagnostic methods are not sufficient, the surgeon may use arthroscopy. This is a surgery when an arthroscope (a narrow, flexible instrument with a video camera) is inserted into the knee joint to obtain an image of the joint from the inside on a screen and evaluate its condition.

The specialist also prescribes laboratory tests to determine the level of inflammation and other possible issues in the body.

After a complete diagnosis, the doctor will also announce the cost of the knee replacement surgery. It depends on the complexity of the surgery and the type of prosthesis that the patient selects together with the doctor.

The process of a knee replacement surgery at N1 Clinic

A knee replacement surgery is performed under general anesthesia and lasts up to 1.5 hours. The procedure can be performed in two ways:

A total joint replacement or a total arthroplasty is the replacement of all elements of a joint and a part of the adjacent bones. In this case, a surgeon makes an incision on the front of the knee to gain access to the joint.
A partial joint replacement or unicondylar arthroplasty is a surgery, that preserves a bone and replaces only the damaged parts of a joint. In this case, a surgeon makes a small incision on the front of the knee to gain access to the damaged area of the joint.

Artificial components are connected to each other with or without cement.

The period and the process of rehabilitation after surgery on a knee joint

After completion of a knee replacement, the patient remains in the hospital for 7 days, where he is provided with all the necessary medical treatment. In addition, after the anesthesia wears off, rehabilitation specialists begin working with the patient. The first stage of rehabilitation is a lymphatic drainage massage, various physical and functional procedures, and training on exercise machines.

2-4 hours after the surgery, the patient gets up and takes the first steps under the supervision of a rehabilitation specialist. The specialist teaches the patient how to stand up and move around correctly. It is mandatory to use a walker for the first 2-3 days and then crutches for 1-2 months. A full recovery takes approximately six months.

On days 5-7, the patient is discharged from the hospital. An orthopedic doctor selects a set of home exercises to strengthen muscles and ligaments, as well as restore full movement. In addition, the patient is prescribed a rehabilitation course with a specialist at the clinic.

Advantages of knee surgery at N1 Clinic in Dnipro

The main advantage of knee replacement surgery at N1 Clinic is a guarantee for the surgery performed if the patient follows all the doctor’s recommendations and comes for follow-up visits.

In addition, the cost of a knee replacement surgery includes a range of services:

a constant care of medical staff,
monitoring the patient’s preoperative and postoperative condition with the necessary tests,
a surgery,
a high-quality anesthesia without consequences,
all necessary medications,
staying for 7 days in the hospital,
3 meals a day,
an early postoperative rehabilitation.