For more information:Surgical Management of Osteoarthritis of the Knee - Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) | American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (aaos.org). Several modifications can make your home easier to navigate during your recovery. Less invasive techniques are available to insert these smaller implants but only a minority of knee replacement patients (about 10%) are good candidates for this procedure. There are a variety of pain syndromes after TKA that can be classified as intrinsic or extrinsic. Metal sensitization is higher in patients with a knee arthroplasty than in the general popu Your orthopaedic surgeon will discuss with you whether you need to take preventive antibiotics before dental procedures. There are four basic steps to a knee replacement procedure: Prepare the bone. The damaged cartilage surfaces at the ends of the femur and the tibia are removed, along with the bone beneath them. Thats why it doesnt work well if more than one compartment of the knee is involved--in those patients there is no good place through which the load can be redistributed. However, there is no evidence to suggest that wound healing efficacy or patient satisfaction is the same in the same knee. Joint infection of the knee is discussed below. Most people who have total knee replacement surgery experience a dramatic reduction of knee pain and a significant improvement in the ability to perform common activities of daily living. More than 754,000 knee replacement surgeries were performed in the United States in 2017, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. This study discovered 98% sensitivity and 95% specificity for a cell count of 2500 per cubic mm and 60% polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Total Knee Replacement Post-Op Exercises - Cleveland Clinic Your doctor and nurses will work to reduce your pain, which can help you recover from surgery faster. An orthopedic surgeon will begin the evaluation with a thorough history and physical exam. Gauze dressings need to be changed frequently to prevent infection. (Right) The x-ray appearance of a total knee replacement. The decision to have total knee replacement surgery should be a cooperative one between you, your family, your primary care doctor, and your orthopaedic surgeon. The length of physical therapy varies based upon patient age fitness and level of motivation but usually lasts for about six to eight weeks. This effect is magnified in regard to commonly performed elective procedures such as total knee arthroplasty. Like most areas of medicine, ongoing research will continue to help the technique evolve.