Age doesn’t matter at all. One can have a knee replacement at any age. The only condition is that the knee is chronically painful and thus impacts life negatively. To learn more about knee replacement surgery and related things, in the direction of the main question, continue to read below.
What Is Knee Replacement Surgery?
Knee replacement is a surgical procedure in which damaged parts of the knee are resurfaced with the help of prosthetic components or an implant. Implants are made up of metal and plastic, which are completely safe and durable.
Types
There are two types of knee replacements, namely, total and partial.
Total Procedure: When cartilage in the knee gets damaged and bones start to rub against each other, it causes intense knee pain and mobility issues. In this condition, the surgeon removes the damaged parts of the knee and then resurfaces them with an implant. This procedure is called total knee replacement surgery.
Partial Procedure: Sometimes, partial knee damage is the cause of intense pain. If this partial damage isn’t treated well, it will lead to total dysfunctionality of the knee. So, the surgeon resurfaces the bad section. As a result, it prevents further damage and complications. This is called partial knee replacement surgery.
Also Read: Advantages of Knee Replacement Surgery
Why Do We Need This Surgery?
This surgery is for people who are living life with chronic and debilitating knee pain. Discomfort is so intense that it interferes with every aspect of their lives.
The affected person cannot even walk a few steps down to the washroom comfortably or without the assistance of another person. Such a person becomes totally dependent on external aid.
Thus, people with damaged knee components and chronic pain need this medical procedure.
Causes
Various conditions can lead to knee damage with intense pain and disability. As a result, the affected person finally needs a knee replacement for lasting relief.
Osteoarthritis:
Degeneration of knee cartilage results in chronic knee pain and disability. It is so because cartilage works by creating a soft-tissue gap between knee bones. Thus, healthy cartilage allows for smooth movements while walking or using the knee.
Once cartilage gets damaged, bones rub against each other. It results in chronic pain, stiffness and reduced range of motion—even total disability in some severe cases.
It is an age-related condition often caused by overuse. Yet, an injury can also cause one to develop osteoarthritis early in life.
Rheumatoid Arthritis:
It is an autoimmune condition that leads to chronic inflammation of the knee joint lining, medically known as synovitis. This inflammation if not controlled well leads to knee damage. Once the knee has been damaged completely, total knee replacement becomes the only solution for relief from intense and chronic pain.
Fracture:
Intense traumatic events like automobile accidents, falls, hits, collisions during sports, etc., can cause bad breaks in the knee bones. Fractures usually happen along with soft-tissue injuries. Thus, if the condition isn’t treated on time, it will lead to permanent disability and pain.
ACL Injuries:
The anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, is the major knee ligament that attaches one bone to another. The knee has four such ligaments. ACL injuries usually happen due to traumatic events. Pivoting, cutting, and similar sudden movements during sports are other dominant causes. An ACL injury can lead to knee damage without proper treatment.
Torn Meniscus:
Meniscus is a soft-tissue pad that is found between knee bones. It provides extra cushioning in addition to cartilage. Each knee has two meniscal pads. Trauma can tear this structure, which can cause permanent damage, leading to disability and chronic pain if not treated on time.
Without treatment, a torn meniscus speeds up the process of knee degeneration over time. Finally, the complications lead to the early requirement for knee replacement.
Deformities:
Some people have correct knee bone shapes and sizes. But, all might not. Knee deformities are yet another cause of intense knee discomfort and lasting pain.
Knock-knee and bowleggedness are common examples of knee deformities or abnormalities. Such people also need knee replacement surgery to fix the alignment issues in their later age.
Symptoms
Once the knee becomes damaged, the affected person has to bear the following symptoms.
- Long-lasting knee pain (painkillers only provide temporary relief)
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Walking disabilities
- Reduced range of motion
Diagnosis
Before recommending knee replacement surgery, the surgeon examines the affected 321 the following imaging tests.
- X-Ray
- MRI
- CT Scanning
X-rays are efficient at producing images of the internal conditions of the knee bones. However, it cannot image soft tissues. Thus, for their examination, either MRI or CT scanning is chosen.
Is Knee Replacement Surgery Safe & Successful for Old Patients?
For this surgery, the age factor doesn’t matter at all. Whether you are 80 or above, you can go through this surgery. It is totally safe. Even a person in their 90s can undergo this intervention without complications if done with proper precaution under the supervision of an experienced orthopedic surgeon. It is to improve the quality of life at all ages.
Furthermore, knee replacement surgery, these days, is highly successful. Many advanced technologies have come to the field such as Robotic assistance, AI-based AR technology, etc. All these latest technologies have revolutionised the methodology of surgery.
Now, surgeons can have the most accurate preoperative visualisation of the patient’s knee. Enhancements in surgical plans lead to higher accuracy and less invasion during the actual surgery. As a result, infection and complication rates are lowest or almost negligible. It leads to the shortest hospital stay and fastest recovery time.
Also Read: Knee Replacement Recovery Time
Complications
If you have been recommended knee replacement surgery, it is for sure that your knee is damaged completely and you are suffering from chronic knee pain with reduced mobility. In that case, don’t ignore or delay the procedure. Ensure you get the surgery done on time.
The longer you delay or ignore, the more complicated the knee condition will become. Over time, knee bones and soft tissues will degenerate further. As a result, it will impact surgical outcomes. Thus, it is crucial to have your surgery at the right time as per a surgeon’s recommendation.
Conclusion
Even if you are above 80, you can plan your knee replacement surgery. Although knee replacement surgery can be recommended to anyone irrespective of age considerations, this surgery is primarily meant to improve the life quality of senior citizens who are suffering from chronic and intolerable knee pain.
Furthermore, these days, technologies have advanced a lot. So, you can plan your knee replacement with the latest technology like robotic or AI-based AR technology.
