Due to severe arthritis or injury, a surgical treatment known as bilateral knee replacement (simultaneous or staged) replaces both knee joints with artificial implants, or prostheses. It can be carried out:
- Concurrently doing surgery on both knees: quicker recovery but increased risk.
- Staged (one knee at a time, separated by weeks or months): longer recovery time but safer.
Signs and Causes of Knee Replacement
Usually, severe knee damage results in:
- Persistent pain, even when sleeping or at rest.
- Stiffness and decreased movement (difficulty climbing stairs, walking).
- Inflammation and swelling that doesn't go away with medicine.
- Deformity (look of knock-kneed or bow legs).
- Conservative therapies, such as braces, injections, and physical therapy, did not work.
Typical Causes:
- Wear-and-tear osteoarthritis is the most prevalent kind.
- An autoimmune disease that damages joints is rheumatoid arthritis.
- Post-traumatic arthritis following a fracture or damage to the knee.
- Bone death brought on by inadequate blood flow is known as avascular necrosis.
Types of Knee Replacement
- Total Knee Replacement (TKR) Entire joint is replaced.
- Partial (Unicompartmental) Replacement – Only damaged section is replaced.
- Robotic-Assisted Surgery – More precise implant placement.
Implants Used:
- Metal & plastic components (cobalt-chromium, titanium, polyethylene).
- Cemented vs. Cementless (depends on bone quality).
