Surgical Treatment For Knee Pain
In some cases, there is structural damage in the knee that won’t improve with conservative measures. These cases should be treated with surgery, and different techniques are available for various conditions. Ultimately, patients can undergo knee replacement surgery when no other option can solve the problem. Knee surgery options include arthroscopic surgery, open surgery, and joint replacement surgery.
Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that involves inserting small cameras into the knee joint. During this procedure, doctors will examine and treat the affected parts of the knee with the aid of a camera and small tools. Arthroscopy can be done using several methods. For example, it can be performed while the patient is awake, asleep, or under general anesthesia. The advantages of arthroscopic surgery include less trauma and faster recovery time. In this type of procedure, doctors can remove loose bodies, repair torn ligaments, and fix bone spurs and osteoarthritis in the knee joint.
Open surgery is the most common form of knee surgery. This method allows doctors to perform all the procedures needed to repair the damaged area. It is easier to do and could be the only option when the damage is extensive, or many knee structures are involved. However, it takes longer to recover from an open surgery than a minimally invasive procedure because the wound is larger and more tissue is cut to expose the underlying tissue.
Joint replacement surgery is the most common option in case of severe damage to the knee, especially in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In this procedure, doctors use artificial joints to replace damaged knee parts. Two types of joint replacements are available: total knee arthroplasty and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.
Total knee replacement is a procedure in which the damaged parts of the knee are replaced with artificial components. It can eliminate knee pain, allow you to walk comfortably, and perform daily activities without pain. Total knee replacement surgery usually requires hospitalization and several weeks of physical therapy. The recovery time varies. Some people can recover within two weeks, while others may require a month. Patients can return to their normal daily activities in about six months after the surgery.
Partial knee replacement or unicompartmental knee replacement is an alternative to total knee replacement surgery. It is done for those who don’t have severe arthritis or cartilage damage. Partial knee replacement only replaces the damaged area of the knee while leaving the healthy parts of the knee intact. This is usually done to treat a degenerative joint disease limited to only one knee compartment. The recovery time is almost the same, but patients won’t need an extended hospital stay and are usually back home the day after surgery after a short observation period.