How long will the implant last after knee replacement surgery?

People who are considering a knee replacement surgery as a viable treatment option should know that the knee replacement eventually wears out. The implants of the knee replacement are made of plastic and metal and as time passes, these materials begin to wear down. The replacement lasts for a significant length of time, but it won’t last forever.

With advanced surgical techniques, a knee replacement surgery done today has a 90% chance of lasting ten to fifteen years. The sustainability of the replacement also depends upon the responsibility of the patients who have undergone the surgery. Those who strictly adhere to the doctor’s suggestions and take care of their health as instructed add to the life of their surgical replacements.

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What factors affect the life of the knee implant?

A variety of factors affect the longevity of a knee implant. These may include the following:

Age
Bodyweight
Physical condition
Lifestyle
Type of implant used

A dramatic advancement has been seen in the techniques of the surgical materials used, the designs of the prosthetic and the fixation techniques. Because of this, there has been a significant increase in the life of the knee replacement.

Patients who are younger in age frequently question how long does a total knee replacement surgery lasts and what they can do to make the implant last longer. To increase the longevity of the knee replacement, high impact sports, running, aerobics, and manual labor should be avoided. To sum up, it can be said that physical activities which can put an excessive amount of strain and pressure on the replaced knee should be warded off.

Another influential factor is the body weight of the patient. Maintaining a healthy weight can somehow lower the possibility of the prosthetic wearing out before time. Also, it is very important to follow all the suggestions that are given by your orthopedic surgeon for your knee replacement.

After the surgery, due attention should be given to physical therapy, exercises, and follow ups with the doctor. Proper exercise and physical therapy are of key importance for a healthy and speedy recovery, whereas follow-ups help in early detection of after-surgery complications, if any, like infections and mobility issues.

What is the better choice between cemented and cementless implants for Knee Replacements?

Traditionally, in knee replacement surgeries, cemented implants were used. Because of progress in the surgical techniques for knee replacement surgeries, uncemented knee implants have come to be used. Cementless Knee implants encourage the growth of the bone and this enables the implant to fix firmly in place.

The choice between cemented and cementless implants is made on the basis of the needs of the patient. A brief description of the two types of implants is as follows.

● Cemented Implants for Knee Replacement Surgery: These are fixed in position with a bone cement that bonds the patient’s bone to the implant.

● Uncemented Implants for Knee Replacement Surgery: Also known as press-fit knee implants, these have a rough and porous surface which enhances the growth of bone. Presently, cementless implants are used for total knee replacement surgery.

Talking to your orthopedic surgeon about your choices in the type of implant is the best thing to do before arriving at a decision.

Is physical therapy necessary after a knee replacement surgery?

In most cases, patients who undergo knee replacement surgery require physical therapy sessions as recommended by the orthopedic. A skilled and experienced physiotherapist can expedite the rehabilitation process and can enable proper mobility without complications. With proper use of therapeutic modalities and dedicated machinery, the recovery process can be made much simpler and faster. Mostly, physical therapy is needed for upto three months after the surgery. However, the time period may vary from patient to patient based on the health condition before surgery and after.

Are follow up appointments with an orthopedic surgeon necessary after recovery from a knee replacement surgery?

Follow up appointments after recovery from a knee replacement surgery are crucial. Some factors which influence the frequency of follow up appointments may be:

Age of the patient
Health condition
Demand levels of the joint
Type of replacement used

Most of the time, knee replacements sustain for ten to fifteen years. A patient who has undergone surgery must keep consulting the doctor to ensure that the replacement is functioning properly.

Minimally invasive knee replacement surgery

This procedure, with the use of advanced and modified techniques, places the implants in place through a much smaller incision, as compared to the one required in a traditional procedure. Instead of a larger incision of around 8 inches, a smaller 3 to 4-inch incision is made to fixate the knee replacement. The minimally invasive procedure aims to make knee replacement surgery easier for the patient by offering the following benefits.

Smaller incision
Easier and faster recovery
Less pain
Less need of blood transfusion
No major scarring
Shorter hospital stay
Maximum range of mobility after recovery

People living in Gurgaon can now undergo less-invasive knee replacement surgery with minimal downtime from regular life and faster recovery with a maximum range of motion. In order to get the best results and outcomes of the procedure, choose the best orthopedic surgeon for your knee replacement surgery in Gurgaon.