The procedure known as Knee Replacement requires an orthopaedic surgeon to precisely measure and remove portions of worn cartilage and bone before resurfacing the joint. Once the bone is resurfaced and re-shaped a prosthesis is implanted to facilitate fluid movement in the knee joint on recovery from the operation.
Partial and Total Knee Replacement There is what is called the uni-compartmental or partial Knee Replacement, (hemi-arthroplasty) or the Total Knee Replacement, (arthroplasty). These procedures are optional when patients have arthritis or injuries that severely impact their ability to execute simple everyday activities like walking around the house. Generally, other treatments such as medications, walking aids, physiotherapy and exercises are undertaken before surgery is recommended. The types of diseases that can lead to Knee Replacement are:
Plastic components, (Polyethylene) The plastics used are a specialised form of polyethylene called ultra-high molecular-weight polyethylene, (UHMWPE). A common example of the materials used in a Total Knee Replacement that include polyethylene are; the tibial component is a metal stem topped by a flat plate; then there’s the polyethylene cushion or bearing surface positioned between it and; the contoured metal surface of the femoral component. Lastly, there is the possibility that a dome-shaped polyethylene component can be used as a cushion for the patella. Though there can be multiple variants of the materials used for each component. Metals Materials used Variants of the types of metal prosthesis materials used are:
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How common is knee arthroscopy? An Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care study shows that in 2012-13, the number of admissions for knee arthroscopy in Australia was 33,682. Of that number, those who were 55yrs old or over counted for 560 admissions per 100,000 people1. Knee arthroscopy in Australia is an important procedure for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Knee arthroscopy has become the gold standard in the diagnosis and management of menisci, ligament and articular cartilage injuries. More recently, knee arthroscopy has also produced encouraging results in the treatment and management of osteoarthritis. Although this success is sometimes due to the treatment of parallel conditions of the knee which aggravate osteoarthritis, the affect delays the onset and severity of its symptoms. Knee Arthroscopy can prevent the need for more invasive surgeries: Another study conducted between 2000 and 2008 shows within the first 24 months of having primary knee arthroscopy there was a decline in the number of people needing a follow-up total knee replacement. This decline is in opposition to other, more recent knee surgery trends, such as; the steady increase, by approximately 500 to a 1000 admissions per year, for total knee replacements between 2008-09 and 2013-143. This suggests although doctors believe more knee replacements are necessary, some who have knee arthroscopy are managing to postpone if not cancel replacement. Osteoarthritis sufferers benefit too: The first statistic shows the increasing effectiveness of knee arthroscopy in Australia, in treating knee injury or disease. The decline also occurred across all age groups, so applies to those older age groups more likely to suffer from degenerative disease. This is significant because degenerative diseases are harder to treat and the single most common reason for patients over 55yrs old to undergo knee replacement surgery. How common is osteoarthritis? To get some perspective on just how common osteoarthritis is, there are approximately 1.3 million people in Australia who experience the condition. But, because it is a gradual degenerative disease, there can be a long time between the first sign of any symptoms, and the need to have arthroscopy or more invasive forms of surgery. Although osteoarthritis is an older person’s disease, those in their 20’s and 30’s can also experience the condition. Of all hospital admissions for elective surgery in 2012-13, 1 in 7 were for osteoarthritis. Although any joint in the body can become affected by osteoarthritis, the weight bearing joints such as the knee and hips are the most commonly operated on. These are then followed by the fingers, hands and spine. Notes:
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