Total Knee Replacement
F.A.Q.s | Frequently Asked Questions
What are the alternative treatments to having a knee replacement?
Walking aids such as a walking stick. An exercise program can strengthen the muscles around the knee joint and sometimes improve positioning of the knee and relieve pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. Some common NSAIDs are aspirin, ibuprofen and cerebrex. Corticosteroids such as prednisone or cortisone reduce joint inflammation but can cause further weaken the bones in the joint. Side effects from corticosteroids are increased appetite, weight gain, and lower resistance to infections. Osteotomy. The surgeon cuts the bone away at a point from the damaged joint and restores the joint to its proper position, which helps to load weight evenly across the joint. For some people, an osteotomy relieves pain. Recovery from an osteotomy takes 6 to 12 months. The function of the knee joint may get worse and the patient may need more treatment.
Are there important things I need to tell my doctors?
- Redness, swelling or warmth around the cut
- Leakage from the cut
- Fever and chills.
- Severe knee pain that is not relieved by prescribed painkillers.
- Sudden sharp pain and clicking or popping sound in the knee joint
- Loss of control over leg movement
- Loss of leg movement
- Further surgery planned for the future i.e. dental work, bladder catheterisation, examinations of the bowel, bladder, rectum or stomach.
What are the bones of the knee?
The knee is a hinge joint, formed by the end of the thighbone (femur) and the end of the shin bone (tibia). The bones are coated in cartilage, which acts as a cushion between the two bones and allows the knee to move. In front of these bones is the kneecap (patella) which glides in a groove on the end of the thigh bone.
