Knee Replacement Surgery:

Purpose: Knee replacement surgery, also known as knee arthroplasty, is performed to replace damaged or diseased parts of the knee joint with artificial implants (prosthetics).

Indications:

• Osteoarthritis: Most common reason, where the cartilage in the knee joint wears away over time.
• Rheumatoid arthritis: Autoimmune condition causing inflammation and joint damage.
• Post-traumatic arthritis: Arthritis developing after a knee injury or fracture.
• Other conditions: Such as avascular necrosis, where the bone tissue dies due to poor blood supply.

Procedure:

1. Preparation: The surgical team prepares the patient, typically under general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia.
2. Incision: The surgeon makes an incision over the knee to access the joint.
3. Resurfacing: Damaged cartilage and bone are removed from the ends of the thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia), and sometimes the patella (kneecap).
4. Implantation: The removed surfaces are replaced with metal and plastic implants that recreate the knee joint’s natural movement.
5. Closure: The incision is closed with stitches or staples.

Recovery:

• Hospital Stay: Typically 1-3 days, depending on the patient’s condition and recovery progress.
• Physical Therapy: Starts soon after surgery to strengthen muscles, improve range of motion, and regain mobility.
• Full Recovery: Most patients resume normal activities within 3-6 weeks, though full recovery and optimal function can take several months.

Success Rate: Knee replacement surgery is highly successful in relieving pain and improving knee function. The majority of patients experience significant pain relief and improved quality of life.

Hip Replacement Surgery:

Purpose: Hip replacement surgery, or hip arthroplasty, aims to replace a damaged or diseased hip joint with artificial implants to relieve pain and restore mobility.

Indications:

• Osteoarthritis: Degenerative joint disease affecting the hip joint.
• Rheumatoid arthritis: Inflammatory joint disease that affects the hip.
• Osteonecrosis: Death of bone tissue due to lack of blood supply.
• Hip fracture: A severe break in the hip joint.

Procedure:

1. Anesthesia: General anesthesia or spinal anesthesia is administered.
2. Incision: The surgeon makes an incision over the hip to access the joint.
3. Preparation: The damaged ball (femoral head) and socket (acetabulum) of the hip joint are removed.
4. Implantation: The removed surfaces are replaced with metal, plastic, or ceramic implants that mimic the natural hip joint.
5. Closure: The incision is closed with stitches or staples.

Recovery:

• Hospital Stay: Typically 1-3 days, depending on the patient’s condition.
• Physical Therapy: Starts soon after surgery to strengthen muscles, improve range of motion, and aid in walking.
• Full Recovery: Most patients can resume normal activities within 2-3 months, with continued improvement over time.

Success Rate: Hip replacement surgery is highly successful in relieving pain and restoring function. It significantly improves mobility and quality of life for the majority of patients.

Both knee and hip replacement surgeries are major procedures that require careful consideration of risks and benefits. They have revolutionized the treatment of severe joint pain and dysfunction, allowing many individuals to regain an active and pain-free lifestyle.