Total Knee Replacement

Post Operative Instruction After Knee Replacement 

A person with advanced knee arthritis and severe pain and limited ambulatory tolerance is a candidate for total knee replacement. When knee pain from osteoarthritis, interferes with daily activity, walking tolerance, and independence, it is time to consider this alternative. Many individuals choose a total knee replacement so they can maintain normal activities of daily living.   

Knee Arthritis:

The end of the femur and tibia form the knee joint. They are covered with a thin, smooth layer of cartilage. In the knee hyaline (surface) and meniscal cartilage cushion the joint and absorb shock. Normally this cartilage is lubricated by a few drops of synovial fluid. The lining of the joint which produces this fluid is synovium. With cartilage debris from wear, the synovium proliferates and produces excess fluid. Cartilage has poor healing capabilities; as it wears away, the bone becomes exposed. The bone surfaces rubbing against each other cause pain, while cartilage has no sensation. There are no predictable or satisfactory methods for reversing the damage of arthritis. When nonsurgical alternatives cannot bring a suitable level of relief, total joint replacement is a realistic alternative.

Prosthetic Appearance:

A total joint replacement consists of three pieces. These are made of rugged polyethylene (high-density plastic) and alloy metals. These components resurface the three bones which comprise the knee joint (femur, tibia, and patella). The femoral component (the end of the thigh bone) is made of metal. The tibial component (the top of the shin bone) has a metal tray with a plastic insert which mates with the femoral component. The patellar component (kneecap) also has a plastic surface which mates with a groove in the femoral component. The knee replacement appears and functions much like a normal knee.

Total Joint Fixation:

There are two methods of securing the prosthesis to the bone. One relies on in-growth of the patient’s bone to anchor the device, and the other uses “cement”. The cement is a plastic polymer that serves as an adhesive grout. The method of fixation utilized is usually based on the patient’s age and the quality and condition of the patient’s bone. The design of the prosthesis also influences the method of attachment to the bone.  The decision of what type of fixation is utilized is made at the time of surgery by your Orthopedic Surgeon.

Total Knee Replacement:

Replacement joints come in many different sizes and are precision engineered to feel and move as much like a real joint as possible. Most people with an artificial knee joint are not aware of a difference between the feel of the implant and their original knee. The knee replacement allows for less bending than a normal knee. In the knee suitable for replacement, however, the range of motion is often improved from that before surgery. Design changes continue in existing prostheses in an effort to yield better function and longevity. A well-implanted prosthesis, in a compliant patient, usually lasts for many years. Since many prostheses now used are improved designs, we can only guess at their longevity. Trauma, wear or loosening may make it necessary to replace a prosthesis. Revision replacements may have a shorter life expectancy than primary implants. Every effort must be made to prolong the life of the total knee which is implanted first. A maximum working life of 10-15 years is reasonable, and more is possible. The physical activity level and patient age are strongly related to the longevity of knee replacements. The main object of a total knee replacement is relief of pain. Other goals include the correction of deformity and restoration of stability. Prosthetic design constraints limit the range of motion to approximately 0-140º. It should be emphasized that total knee replacements are not done to allow patients to return to unlimited activities. Fitness may be maintained by swimming, bicycling, and walking. Golfing and even skiing in some individuals may be considered, but impact loading such as running or jumping should be minimized.

Candidates for Total Knee Replacement:    

The ideal patient is over sixty years of age. Most are between 60 and 80 years of age. Younger patients tend to be more active leading to premature loosening of the replacement. Young age is a relative contraindication to total knee replacement. Extreme osteoporosis (softening of the bone) is also a relative contraindication to total knee replacement. In patients with a significant history of past infection of the knee, total knee replacement is contraindicated because of the risk of reactivating the infection.

A patient with recurrent urinary tract infection secondary to chronic kidney stones, urethral stricture, or other genitourinary problems should have urologic evaluation prior to total knee replacement.

Precautions:

Special precautions against infection are taken before, during and after surgery. Antibiotics are used routinely peri-operatively. A special surgical room and techniques for a sterile environment are used during surgery. Although the risk is very low, the occurrence of late infection can be catastrophic and may require the removal of the prosthesis. To minimize the risk of infection, prophylactic antibiotics are given any time dental manipulation, urinary tract surgery or instrumentation or significant bowel procedures are performed. Any skin infection should also be treated with antibiotics as well, since late prosthetic implant infection may be related to a skin infection. There is also a risk of deep vein thrombosis (clot) after total knee replacement, and patients are generally treated with coumadin from the day before surgery until two or three weeks following surgery. This substantially reduces the risk of a deep venous clot.

Hospitalization:

Patients are admitted on the day of surgery and hospitalized for one or two days. During the hospital stay, the emphasis is placed on regaining knee motion and strength, and activities of daily living. The faster patients are able to return home, the better they often do. If more assistance is required, or there is no one at home, a week or two in a rehabilitation facility will help in regaining independence to return home. This decision is generally made during hospitalization when it becomes clear what functional needs will be required before discharge and depending on insurance coverage. Therapy should continue at home with daily range of motion exercises and strengthening. This may be aided by the use of a physical therapist, but in the highly motivated patient, therapy may be done almost entirely on a home program. Straight leg raising, bending over the seat of a chair, and maintaining extension with a pillow beneath the ankle, are used with ambulation and functional exercise like an exercise bicycle to regain function.

Blood Transfusion:

Transfusion of blood is generally not necessary, especially in younger patients without a significant cardiac or pulmonary history. Blood work following surgery is monitored and if necessary transfusion is performed to maintain a safe blood count.

Complications:

The most serious complication after total joint replacement is an infection. This occurs in less than 0.5% of knee replacement, but the incidence is minimized with prophylactic antibiotics. If infection occurs, removal of the prosthesis at least temporarily is usually necessary. Deep venous thrombosis (clot) may also occur. This is minimized by the use of anticoagulant medication, which is started in the preoperative period and is continued for two or three weeks after surgery. Safe control of anticoagulation requires weekly blood tests and necessary adjustment.

Compliments of Sports Medicine and Orthopaedics, East Providence, Rhode Island