What Is a Knee Joint Replacement?

The orthopedic procedure of knee joint replacement is called a total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This surgery involves replacing the existing knee joint with a manmade one. Orthopedic surgeons replace knee joints in order to end pain, stiffness, and loss of function.


What Are Reasons for a Knee Joint Replacement?

Both chronic osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis commonly cause people to lose knee function and damage the joint to the degree that they need a knee joint replacement (total knee arthroplasty or TKA). But knee damage may also stem from injury or infection. Sometimes, people with severe rheumatoid arthritis of the knee can require a TKA at an early age.


How Do Health-Care Professionals Perform a Knee Joint Replacement? How Long Does the Procedure Last?

During knee joint replacement surgery, the damaged parts of the knee joint are removed and manufactured components (prosthesis) are then placed in the knee. The three areas involved are

lower end of the thighbone (femur),
upper end of the shinbone (tibia), and
behind the kneecap (patella).

The prosthesis can have both metal and plastic parts. Some newer prostheses now are made of metal on metal, ceramic on ceramic, or ceramic on plastic.

The surgery for total knee replacement lasts about two hours and involves an incision over your knee. The thighbone and shinbone will be cut to prepare them for the new pieces. The patella will be moved at the beginning of the procedure, and later a bone cement will be utilized to fasten the prosthesis to it. This is the traditional way the procedure has been performed. Several modifications to the procedure can be made and partial knee replacements are options for certain joints, as well.

During the procedure, you will either have general anesthesia (when you are fully asleep) or a regional block (spinal or epidural with more localized anesthesia) that numbs your legs combined with an intravenous medication that will sedate you during the procedure. Your surgeon and anesthesiologist will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both techniques.

You will usually leave the hospital within a few days of the procedure and attend a rehabilitation facility that will help you get used to your new knee and eventually help you return to all your activities and hopefully many that you gave up due to pain or inability of your "old" knee to handle.


What Are Complications and Side Effects of a Total Knee Joint Replacement?

The most common problems with a knee joint replacement are

  • fractures (breaks) of the new knee after a fall or other accident,
  • pain from slippage and wear in the new joint, and
  • loosening of the prosthetic components.

Other less common problems include

  • infection of the joint;
  • dislocation, either complete or partial, of the new knee; and
  • a blood clot in a vein (deep vein thrombosis) above or below the knee. (Clots occur most commonly shortly after replacement surgery.)
Many people who fall after having a knee replacement break the bone below the new joint on which the new knee is anchored. Pain and swelling occur at or near the site of the knee joint replacement.

Pain can occur gradually as the new joint develops wear patterns that interfere with the smooth function of the knee.


  • Slippage can cause the prosthetic surfaces to move in opposition to each other and cause pain.
  • This pain increases with activity and decreases when you sit.
  • This pain of movement differs from the normal start-up pain that occurs in the first three to six months after knee replacement and that decreases over the first few steps.
  • Infection will cause pain, along with frequent redness and swelling at the joint, even when you are at rest.
  • Often fluid will collect at the knee joint in the presence of infection and cause a boggy swelling. Fluid may not accumulate with every infection.
  • Fever may occur.

Dislocating the knee will cause pain.

  • Deformity of the joint will be present.
  • A dislocation may damage adjoining nerves, muscles, and blood vessels and impair their function. The popliteal artery, which carries the entire blood supply to your lower leg and foot, can be injured or pinched shut. This is a medical emergency and requires urgent evaluation and diagnosis. The symptoms are pain, the lower leg may turn pale and cold, have poor or no pulse, and the leg may swell.
  • Nerves to your lower leg can be cut or injured, causing your lower leg to become numb (paresthesia), weak (paresis), or paralyzed.
  • Blood clots tend to form during the period ("post-op" or "post-operatively") when you cannot move following a knee replacement.
  1. Clots become progressively less common with time.
  2. A clot in your vein generally causes new pain, swelling, or redness in your lower leg.
  3. The greatest concern is that the clot will travel through your veins and could lodge in your lung (pulmonary embolism).
Dr. Sunil Rajan is a one of the best Knee specialist in Indore and provide the knee replacement surgery cost in Indore at affordable price. Dr. Sunil Rajan is one of the few Orthopaedic Surgeons in Indore who have expertise in Knee Replacement, hip replacement, Shoulder Replacement, knee transplant  as well as in knee replacement surgery. Book an Appointment today call us at 9826200015 and online visit for more informatoin - https://www.drsunilrajan.com

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