Orthopaedic Specialists of Conneticut

Joint Replacement

Total Knee Replacement

A painful knee can severely affect a patient ability to lead a full active life. Over the last 25 years, major advancements in artificial knee replacement have greatly improved the outcome of surgery. Artificial knee replacement surgery is becoming more and more common as the population of the world begins to age.

Causes For Knee Joint Replacement

Knee Degeneration

There are many conditions that result in degeneration of the knee joint. Osteoarthritis is the most common cause for patients who have knee replacement surgery. Osteoarthritis is commonly referred to as "wear and tear arthritis". Osteoarthritis can occur with no previous injury to the knee joint - the knee simply "wears out". Some people may have a genetic tendency that increases their chances of developing osteoarthritis.

Healthy knee and degenerated knee

The major problem in osteoarthritis is that the cartilage on the surface of the bone inside the joint wears away. Once the slick protective surface of the articular cartilage is worn away, the results are bone rubbing against bone. Bone rubbing against bone is painful.

Fractures of the knee, torn cartilage, and torn ligaments can cause the knee joint to function abnormally. This abnormal function can lead to excessive wear and tear of the joint many years after the injury - just like an out-of-balance tire can wear out too soon.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a degenerative knee joint usually begin as pain while bearing weight on the affected knee, such as when walking. You may start to limp. The knee may become swollen with fluid. The range of motion of the affected knee can be effected. The knee will bend less than normal and may lose its ability to completely straighten out. Bone spurs will usually develop and can be seen on x-ray. Finally, as the condition worsens, one may feel pain may almost all of the time. Pain may even keep the patient awake at night.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of a degenerative knee joint starts with a complete history and physical examination by the surgeon. X-rays are required to determine the how bad the knee joint has become. X-rays may help suggest a cause for the degeneration in the knee. Other tests may be required if the surgeon thinks that other conditions may be adding to the degenerative process. Blood tests can rule out systemic arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, or an infection in the knee.

Medical Treatment

Not all degenerative knee conditions require a knee replacement as a first treatment. The doctor may suggest several alternative treatments to put off replacing the knee as long as possible. Using a cane may help relieve some of the pain and allow to walk more comfortably. Anti-inflammatory medicines may reduce the inflammation from the arthritis and reduce pain.

Surgery

Most degenerative problems will eventually require replacement of the painful knee with an artificial knee joint, called prosthesis. Once the decision to have surgery is made, there are several things that may need to be done. we orthopedic surgeon may suggest a complete physical examination by your medical or family doctor. This is to ensure that they are in the best possible condition to undergo the operation. They might also need to spend time with the physical therapist who will be managing the rehabilitation after the surgery. The therapist will begin the teaching process before the surgery to ensure that they are ready for the rehabilitation afterwards.

One purpose of the pre-operative visit with the physical therapists is to record baseline information. This includes measurements of the current pain levels, what they are able to do, how much swelling they have in the knee, and the amount of movement and strength of each knee.

A second purpose of the pre-operative visit is to prepare them for surgery. They will begin practicing some of the exercises the patient will use right after surgery. they will also be trained in how to use a walker or crutches. Whether or not your surgeon used a cemented or no cemented type knee prosthesis will determine how much weight they will be able to place on your foot while walking. Finally, an assessment will be made of any special needs they will have once they return home.

The Artificial Knee Joint, called a prosthesis

There are two main types of artificial knee replacements:

  • Cemented Prosthesis
  • Uncemented Prosthesis

Both types are widely used. In many cases, a combination of the two types is used. The kneecap, or patellar, portion of the prosthesis is usually cemented into place. The choice to use a cemented or uncemented prosthesis is usually made by the surgeon based on the age and lifestyle.

Artificial Knee Components

Each prosthesis has four parts:

  • The tibial component replaces the end of the tibia. The tibia is commonly called the shinbone.
  • The femoral component replaces the end of the femur, the groove where the kneecap slides. The femur is commonly called the thighbone. It is the largest bone in the body.
  • The patellar component replaces the surface on bottom of the patella. The "top" of the kneecap is the part you can feel through the skin. The "bottom" is the on the other side, and slides up and down in the femoral groove whenever the patient bend or straighten their leg.

The femoral component is made of metal. The tibial component is usually made of two parts - a metal tray that is fitted directly onto the bone, and a plastic spacer that provides a bearing surface. The plastic used is very tough and very slick - so slick and tough that one could ice skate on a sheet of the plastic without much damage to the plastic.

Artificial Knee Cemented and Uncemented

A cemented prosthesis i s held in place using an epoxy type cement that attaches the metal to the bone.

An uncemented prosthesis has a fine mesh of holes on the surface that allows the bone to grow into the mesh and attaches the prosthesis to the bone.

The Operation

Replacing the knee begin with making an incision on the front of the knee to allow access to the knee joint. Shaping the Distal Femoral Bone

Artificial Knee Shaping

Shaping the Distal Femoral Bone
Once the knee joint is entered, a special cutting tool is placed on the end of the femur. This special tool ensures that the bone is cut keeping the proper alignment to the leg's original angles - even if the arthritis has made the bowlegged or knock-kneed. Several pieces of diseased bone are cut away from the end of the femur so that the artificial knee can be attached.

Artificial Knee Shaping

Preparing the Tibial Bone
Then the top of the tibia is cut using another cutting tool that also ensures proper alignment.

Artificial Knee Shaping

Preparing the Patella
The undersurface of the kneecap is removed.
Artificial Knee Shaping
Frontal View
This is what the prepared surfaces look like viewed from the front. The patella has been moved to allow to see the knee.

Artificial Knee Placing

Placing the Femoral Component
The femoral component is then fitted on the femur. In the uncemented type of femoral component, the prosthesis is held on the end of the bone because the end of bone has a tapered cut. The metal prosthesis is made to almost exactly match the tapered cut of the bone. Fitting the femoral component onto the end of the bone holds the component in place by friction. In the cemented component, epoxy cement is used to attach the metal prosthesis to the bone.

Artificial Knee Placing

Placing the Tibial Component (metal tray)
The metal tray that holds the plastic spacer is attached to the end of the tibia. The metal tray is either cemented into place, or held in place with screws if the component is the uncemented type. The screws hold the tray in place until the bone grows into the porous coating. The screws are left in the bone and are not removed.

Artificial Knee Placing

Placing the Tibial Component (plastic spacer)
The plastic spacer is attached to the metal tray of the tibial component. If the plastic spacer wears out it can be replaced if the rest of the prosthesis is in good condition - a so called retread.

Artificial Knee Placing

Placing the Patellar Component
The patellar button is usually cemente d into place behind the patella.

Artificial Knee Completed

The Completed Knee Replacement
x-ray from the side compared with illustration of knee prosthesis. x-ray from the front compared with illustration of knee prosthesis.

Artificial Knee Completed

Artificial Knee Completed

Rehabilitation

While the patient is in the hospital:

  • Range of Motion exercises
  • Walking
  • Exercises for strength and flexibility

The physical therapist will schedule the first visit soon after surgery. Therapy will focus on the range of motion in the knee. Gentle movement will be used to help begin bending and straightening of the knee. If we recommend a continuous passive motion (CPM) machine, it will be adjusted for the knee. Next, they will go over their exercise regimen. When they are stabilized, their therapist will assist them up for a short walk using crutches or a walker. Physical therapy will continue once or twice a day. They will be on their way home when they can safely:

  • get into and out of bed,
  • walk up to 75 feet with crutches or a walker,
  • go up and down a flight of stairs, and
  • get to the bathroom.

It is also important that they have good contraction of the upper thigh muscle, called the quadriceps, and that the range of motion of the knee is improved.

Complications Of Total Knee Replacement

As with all major surgical procedures, complications can occur. The most common complications following knee replacement are:

  • Thrombophlebitis
  • Infection in the joint
  • Stiffness of the joint
  • Loosening of the joint

This is not intended to be a complete list of the possible complications, but these are the most common.

Thrombophlebitis as discussed earlier
Infections discussed earlier
Stiffness
In some cases, the ability to bend the knee does not return to normal after an artificial knee replacement. Many orthopedic surgeons are now using a machine known as a CPM machine (Constant Passive Motion) immediately after surgery to try and increase the range of motion following artificial knee replacement. Other orthopedic surgeons rely on physical therapy beginning immediately after the surgery to regain the motion. It is not clear which is the best approach. Both approaches have benefits and risks, and the choice is usually made by the surgeon based on his experience and preferences.
To be able to use the leg effectively to rise from a chair, the knee must bend at least to 90 degrees. A desirable range of motion should be greater than 110 degrees. Balancing of the ligaments and soft tissues (during surgery) is the most important determining factor in regaining an adequate range of motion following knee replacement, but sometimes increasing scarring after surgery can lead to an increasingly stiff knee. If this occurs, we may recommend taking them back to the operating room, placing them under anesthesia once again, and forcefully manipulating the knee to regain motion. Basically, this allows us to breakup and stretch the scar tissue without them feeling it. The goal is to increase the motion in the knee without injuring the joint
Loosening
The major reason that artificial joints eventually fail continues to be loosening of the joint where the metal or cement meets the bone. There have been great advances in extending the life of an artificial joint. Still, most joints will eventually loosen and require a revision. Hopefully, one can expect 12-15 years of service from the artificial knee. In some cases the knee will loosen earlier than that. Just like a diseased knee, a loose joint cause’s pain. Once the pain becomes unbearable, another operation will probably be required to replace the knee
As seen a total knee replacement again is a very technically demanding operation. Just like the hip, if it is not done properly then the life span of the artificial joint is less, it may dislocate from its position and may still be painful.
While many orthopaedic surgeons perform total joint replacement, revisions of failed joint replacements is a specialized field not practiced by most orthopaedic surgeons. Since the number of revision hip replacements in the US is about 25,000 per year and rising, the need or this expertise is rapidly increasing. Newer and more précised methods of revising failed hip replacements are needed.

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