Knee replacement involves resurfacing the top of the tibia (shin bone), end of the femur (thigh bone) with metal components and a polyethylene (plastic) bearing component. A plastic button is usually applied to the back of the patella (knee cap) too.
FAQs
The most common type is a total knee replacement (92%) where the whole joint is replaced. In Australia 8% of knee replacements are a unicompartmental (partial) knee replacement. This involves replacing only the diseased portion of the joint and is appropriate where the arthritis is localised to a single part of the joint (medial, lateral or the patellofemoral joint). A partial knee replacement is a smaller operation with a quicker recovery, but only the minority of people have the right knee for it.
No one NEEDS a knee replacement. People elect to have a knee replacement when their symptoms are severe enough. For most people the main symptom is pain and when the pain affects their quality of life, keeps them up at night or they are relying on heavy duty pain killers then it is time to consider surgery.
You will be walking as soon as possible – either the same day or the next morning. Most people stay in hospital for 1 or 2 nights. Walking gradually improves over the next few weeks. Most people stop using their frames/walkers/crutches between 2 and 6 weeks after their surgery. Driving is normally restarted at the 6 week mark. Because the knee is not a well padded joint in most people, any swelling remains very obvious. It is normally around 3 months before the knee returns to normal and people are happy that they have had the surgery.
Yes. It is a major operation and all surgery carries risk. The general risks of surgery include bleeding, infection and blood clots. Specific risks include fractures, ongoing pain and nerve or blood vessel injury. Dr Gieroba will talk to you in detail about risks during your consultation.
Modern knee replacements in Australia for arthritis have a revision rate of 8% at 20 years – this means that after 20 years 92% of knee have not been re-operated on. The most common reasons for revision surgery in Australia are infection, component loosening and pain.
In Australia, 83.7% of people with a knee replacement are either “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with their knee replacements. They are not quite as satisfying for patients as hip replacement. A small proportion of people are not happy with their knee replacement.
Burnside Hospital - Stepney
