Partial knee joint replacement surgery in Turkey is an alternative to total joint replacement surgery, when the damage is limited to one part of the knee, where only the affected part of the joint is replaced.
Introduction to partial knee replacement surgery
Partial Knee Replacement is performed when only one section of the joint is damaged and the remaining parts of the knee remain intact. This procedure preserves the healthy sections as they are.
The knee joint is divided into 3 main compartments, as follows: the medial compartment (the inner part of the knee), the lateral compartment (the part outside the knee), and the femoral-patellar space (in front of the knee between the femur and the patella).
may hurt Arthritis One of these parts of the knee without the other and may extend to infect all parts of the joint, and then the patient needs a total knee replacement.
The process of installing a semi-artificial knee joint requires error-free technique and more experience when compared to the process of installing a full knee artificial joint.
It is characterized by leaving a small surgical incision in addition to a short recovery period compared to Total joint replacement surgery.
In addition, it gives a more natural feeling and a better range of motion because the joint surface is not entirely artificial, but rather consists of natural and artificial parts.
Candidates for partial knee joint replacement
it causes degenerative arthritis (Osteoarthritis) in its advanced stages, severe pain that does not respond to medications and causes an impediment to the movement of the patient, which calls for thinking about joint replacement surgery.
If this inflammation is limited to one part of the knee, then the patient is a candidate for partial joint replacement surgery.
This operation is suitable for people who still have a good range of motion before surgery in addition to the absence of significant joint deformity.
Partial switch surgery is preferred for patients with good physical activity because they maintain a better range of motion and are able to return to physical activities faster than Complete change process.
This procedure is not suitable for patients with: Strong joint stiffness Or injury to one of the knee ligaments, the injured patients ACL rupture They are usually not candidates for half knee replacement surgery.
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis are not good candidates for the operation because rheumatism usually affects the entire joint.
Each patient's case is studied in detail and carefully before making the most appropriate decision regarding the type of operation he will undergo, whether partial knee joint replacement surgery gives better results or is full replacement the best option for the patient's condition.
Advantages of partial knee joint replacement over total joint replacement
A half knee replacement is distinguished from a full replacement by:
- Smaller incision
- Shorter hospital stay
- Faster recovery and return to daily activities
- Better range of motion
- Patient satisfaction with the results is greater
- The cost of the operation is lower
Before partial knee replacement surgery
It is important to tell your doctor about the types of medications you are taking, as he may ask you to stop or adjust some medications before the operation.
If you suffer from chronic diseases such as heart disease or diabetes In this case, you should consult doctors who specialize in these diseases to determine your readiness and ability to tolerate the surgery.
If you are a smoker, you must stop smoking at least 4 to 6 weeks before the operation, as smoking slows down the speed of wound healing.
It is preferable to visit a physiotherapist before the partial knee joint replacement operation in order to learn about the exercises that help in the rehabilitation of the knee joint during recovery.
On the day of the operation, you may be asked to avoid eating and drinking about 6 hours before the surgery, it is important to follow the instructions of the specialist.
How to perform partial knee joint replacement in Turkey
During the operation, the surgeon makes a small incision around the knee to access the damaged area of the joint.
The surgeon removes damaged tissue and cartilage from the surface of both the femur and shinbone in the affected area.
The articular surfaces are prepared after excision of the affected areas for the installation of the prosthesis. The prosthetic implants are of a customized size according to each person's condition.
The prosthetic implants are made of metal and plastic, and are designed to slide easily over each other giving smooth knee motion.
If the orthopedic surgeon notices during the partial knee replacement surgery that there is extensive damage to the knee joint, then he will change the operation for a total joint replacement, but this rarely happens because there are several radiological examinations that are performed before the surgical replacement to ensure that the injury is partially limited to the knee.
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Recovery after partial knee joint replacement in Turkey
You can move your knee on the same day of the operation, and you will quickly be able to fully restore the function of the knee joint and will have less knee pain than with a total knee replacement.
You will get acquainted with the physical therapist who will help you in your recovery journey after the operation by performing special exercises that help in restoring the ability to move properly.
Your doctor will prescribe you a fluid that prevents blood clots from forming due to a person's partial movement after partial replacement surgery.
The patient usually leaves the hospital 1-2 days after the operation, the person continues with the procedure physical therapy At home for two to four weeks after the replacement.
If the recovery phase goes as planned and without any complications, the person is able to return to his normal daily activities after about 6 to 8 weeks after the partial knee joint replacement.
It is advised to avoid violent physical activities such as fast running and jogging, but a person can play tennis, skiing, and similar less intense sports, and this is one of the reasons that distinguish a partial knee replacement from a full replacement.
Partial knee joint replacement surgery risks
The operation is often not accompanied by complications when it is performed in Turkey by elite orthopedic doctors, but any procedure is not without the possibility of some complications, including:
- Infection at the surgical site
- blood clot
- Knee stiffness
- Failure to install prosthetic implants and persistent knee pain
Does partial knee joint replacement cause pain?
All operations are associated with a degree of pain. For partial knee joint replacement surgery, the intensity of pain varies from person to person, but it remains milder than total knee joint replacement.
After partial knee replacement surgery, some people experience painful stings from time to time, while others report no pain at all and that the knee looks very normal.
The soreness after knee replacement surgery usually subsides within a few months after the operation, and the pain can be controlled by giving analgesics when needed.
Long-term results of partial knee joint replacement
Most people who have undergone knee replacement surgery report that they feel better and relieved from the pain that was preventing them from carrying out their daily activities.
Prosthetic implants often remain valid for 15 to 20 years after replacement and may last more than 25 years, this depends on a number of factors such as the age of the person undergoing the operation, physical activity and weight.
The prosthetic knee joint can be reconstructed if the previous implant is damaged through another surgery in which the damaged joint is replaced.
