Pros and Cons
Knee replacement surgery, which is also known as knee arthroplasty, is one of the most successful surgeries in all medicine hence it has become a quite common procedure. The US agency for healthcare research and quality (AHRQ) reported that more than 750,000 knee replacement surgeries are performed in the US in 2017. The current incidence of knee arthroplasties is believed to be doubled before 2030.
Over the past five decades, knee replacement surgeries had a high success rate proving their reliability and efficiency. Statistical studies have revealed that more than 90% of the performed knee arthroplasties showed excellent results and the knee implants provided durability and smooth articulation for 10 years after the surgery. The expected lifetime of the knee prosthesis varies according to the level of activity and the medical condition of the patient. Generally, a knee implant lasts for 15 to 20 years before getting worn out or loosened. If so, the patient may need a revision knee arthroplasty in which the implanted prostheses are partially or completely replaced with new ones.
Osteoarthritis patients who had undergone total knee replacement (TKR) showed remarkable improvement in knee articulation and full regain of its range of motion. Knee arthroplasties are believed to provide significant relief from chronic pain which is the most favored result of the surgery because pain is usually the chief complaint of patients with knee injuries. Knee arthroplasties renew your ability to resume your daily activities which will subsequently enhance your physical and psychological health.
To set realistic expectations for the surgery you should also consider the cons of knee arthroplasty. The prosthetic knee implant isn’t permanent, so a second surgery is possible after 10 to 25 years. In the case of arthritis, knee replacement surgery isn’t the cure for the underlying condition that resulted in knee injury, so patients will have to keep taking their prescribed medications. Most patients need to stay awhile in a rehabilitation center till they get used to their prosthesis. Whether the surgeon decides to perform knee arthroplasty with the traditional or the minimally invasive approach, a 3 to 12-inch scar over the knee is made. Like other surgical procedures, knee arthroplasty has its risks, yet the 90-days mortality rate is neglectable. Knee arthroplasties are a bit expensive and could be financially a burden for a lot of people.
