A Total Knee Replacement is a surgical procedure performed to relieve or reduce the symptoms of arthritis in the knee joint, such as pain, swelling and reduced mobility.
Indications for surgery:
Chronic knee pain causing reduced mobility. This is caused by:
- Osteoarthritis – wear & tear of the knee joint
- Rheumatoid Arthritis – Autoimmune disease causing swelling & deformity of the joint
- Arthritis due to previous injury to the knee joint
- Trauma to the knee joint necessitating replacement of the joint.
- Instability of the knee joint
Procedure:
A knee replacement is a surgical procedure where the ends of the bones in the knee joint are removed and replaced with artificial replacements or prosthesis.
Sometimes only part of the knee is damaged, and your consultant may do a partial knee replacement just replacing the parts of the joint that are damaged. Your consultant will discuss this with you if it is a viable option for you.
After Your Surgery:
You will have dressings on your knee after the surgery and this will be changed prior to your discharge.
You will be mobilised by the physiotherapist after your surgery. Depending on what time you get back to the ward after your surgery, we aim to get you out of bed the day of surgery.
You will be shown how to use a frame and then progress to crutches while in hospital after your surgery. It is recommended that you plan for not being as mobile as you were prior to the surgery for the first few weeks during your recovery. Some people book themselves into convalescence for a week or two after their surgery.
You will be ready for discharge 3 to 4 days after surgery.
Please speak to your consultant regarding any specific questions or queries you have about this surgery and the rehabilitation afterwards. Please also read the Patient Information Booklet on Knee Replacement Surgery available from your consultant or directly from the hospital.
