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Orthopedic Health: Total Knee Replacement

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most widespread type of joint disease categorized by the worsening degradation of articular cartilage, leading to severe pain, deformity, and reduced mobility of affected joints. This condition is often termed as degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of disability in elderly adults.1 Despite mostly occurring in the elderly, osteoarthritis is also a significant health problem of middle adulthood in contemporary life. Knee osteoarthritis, apart from severe pain and disability, is associated with reduced comfort and mobility.2

Symptoms of osteoarthritis3 :

  • Pain upon movement (flexion and/or extension)
  • Stiffness and inflammation of the joint
  • Cracking sound upon movement (Crepitus)
  • Popliteal cyst (referred as Baker’s cyst)
  • Lateral joint instability
  • Valgus/varus deformity of the knee joint

Treatment of osteoarthritis4 :

A. Nonsurgical Treatment :

  • Lifestyle modifications
  • Physical therapy
  • Assistive devices
  • Medications

B. Surgical Options :

  • Osteotomy
  • Knee replacement surgery (arthroplasty)

What is Total Knee Replacement (TKR)?5

Total knee replacement surgery (TKR) is a procedure which involves removing the diseased knee joint surgically and replacing it with an artificial joint (prosthesis) made of metal alloys, high-grade plastics and polymers. TKR can help relieve pain and restore normal movement in severely diseased knee joints.

What are the benefits of a knee replacement?6

  • Significant relief from pain.
  • Marked improvement in joint mobility leading to raised functional status.
  • Improved quality of life.
  • Regained ability of perform outdoor activities, which were not possible previously.

References

  1. Glass GG. Osteoarthritis. Dis Mon 2006 Sept;52:343-362.
  2. Leslie M. Knee Osteoarthritis Management Therapies. Pain Manag Nurs. 2000 Jun;1(2):51-7.
  3. Sinusas K. Osteoarthritis: diagnosis and treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2012 Jan 1;85(1):49-56.
  4. Ringdahl E, Pandit S. Treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Am Fam Physician. 2011 Jun 1;83(11):1287-92. Liddle AD, Pegg EC, Pandit H. Knee replacement for osteoarthritis. Maturitas. 2013;75(2):131-6.
  5. Shan L, Shan B, Suzuki A, Nouh F, Saxena A. Intermediate and long-term quality of life after total knee replacement: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2015 Jan 21;97(2):156-68.