The largest joint in the human body is the knee. Violation of his work is accompanied by severe pain. In some cases, problems with the knee joint can even lead to disability. Endoprosthetics will help return to normal life when such a disease occurs. This is the name of the operation to replace the joint with an artificial implant.
What are the indications
Such surgery is carried out, of course, only in the most extreme case, if it is not possible to achieve improvement by other methods. Usually implantation of an artificial joint is carried out with:
bone dysplasia;
severe knee deformation;
avascular necrosis;
osteoarthritis;
hemophilia;
gout.
Very often, an indication for endoprosthetics is old age. The fact is that throughout life a person’s legs are subjected to constant significant loads. Therefore, the knee joint wears out . Replacing it is very often necessary in connection with the development of arthrosis.
Types of prosthetics
Depending on the degree of joint damage during surgery, the following can be done:
Installation of a one-sided sliding prosthesis. This procedure is indicated if only the lower or upper part of the joint is damaged.
Implantation of a rotational prosthesis. Such an operation is prescribed when the patient identifies ligament instability. The rotational prosthesis is fixed using a special heavy-duty polymer cement.
Installing a surface substitute. The prosthesis of this variety is implanted instead of articular cartilage if it is damaged.
Installation of the articulated prosthesis. A special design made in the form of an axis is implanted into the patient.
The answer to the question of how much a knee replacement costs will depend to a large extent on the type of prosthesis chosen. Of course, installing a one-sided implant will cost less than, for example, a hinged option. In some cases, a joint replacement can be performed using specialized prostheses made individually according to laboratory tests and measurements.
How is preparation for surgery
Endoprosthetics is a rather responsible and complicated procedure. The patient must first undergo a complete medical examination. First, a doctor takes it. A specialist carefully examines, of course, the knee joint. Replacing it in any case is a rather serious intervention in the body. Therefore, preparation for this procedure should be very thorough. After examination, the patient takes all the necessary tests. In the event of an unforeseen situation, many patients also become donors for themselves. That is, they donate blood, which may be needed during the operation.
Without fail, in the preparatory period, a general correction of the body is also carried out. In addition, the patient goes to the dentist. The fact is that bacteria living in the mouth can enter the bloodstream and weaken the body before surgery. And this can lead to all sorts of complications.
Upon examination, the doctor always asks the patient about all the medicines he takes. The fact is that some drugs can cause bleeding during surgery. In addition, patients are sometimes advised to lose weight and quit smoking.
Contraindications
Of course, not all patients can have a knee replacement. Contraindications in this case, there are:
How is the operation
Actually the endoprosthetics technique itself is as follows:
The patient is anesthetized.
A worn joint or part of it is removed using special medical instruments.
A prosthesis is installed.
Two hours - about the time it takes for specialists to put on an artificial knee joint. Replacement lasts quite a long time, because the surgeon needs to remove bone tissue in pieces as carefully and as slowly as possible. After the operation, the patient is placed in the intensive care unit. Here the patient should be until exit from anesthesia. All this time he remains under the supervision of doctors. If no complications are observed, the patient is transferred to a general ward.
Infection is one of the problems that can occur after a knee replacement is performed. After surgery, to avoid this, the patient is prescribed antibiotics. On the second day, the patient is prescribed physiotherapy. Performing simple exercises, the patient can significantly accelerate his rehabilitation.
Postoperative period
The patient’s home is usually discharged on the 7-14th day. The process of further rehabilitation takes about 10 weeks. If the patient’s work is not associated with physical activity, he can return to it within a month. Driving a car is allowed about 4-6 weeks after arthroplasty. In the event that the operation to replace the knee joint was successful and the patient feels normal, no special measures should be taken to restore. However, some recommendations of the doctor must still be observed:
In no case should the leg be overloaded. Otherwise, the prosthesis may be damaged and will have to be changed again. Repeated operation is usually more difficult than the first.
You can not engage in active sports.
You need to review your diet. Nutrition during the rehabilitation period should be as balanced as possible.
Rehabilitation after replacement of the knee joint includes, among other things, performing rehabilitation exercises at home.
For some time after surgery, patients experience discomfort in the knee. Therefore, they are prescribed pain medications that must be taken.
Operation cost
How much does it take to get a new artificial knee joint? Replacing this part of the body is, of course, expensive. First of all, the price is affected by the complexity of the operation itself. Also, the cost of prosthetics directly depends on the type of prosthesis used. Of course, you should not save on such an important element. Modern knee prostheses can be made of different materials: special medical alloys, polymers, ceramics. The latter option is the most durable. Ceramic joint can last up to 20 years. Ordinary prostheses have to be changed after 10-15 years.
For the implant itself you will have to pay about 140-150 thousand rubles. About 350-400 thousand p. - about how much does a knee replacement cost in Russia. The price of arthroplasty abroad is, of course, much higher. For example, in Israel, the cost of such an operation starts at $ 25,000.
Knee replacement: patient reviews
Some people do not too believe in the possibilities of modern medicine and are afraid to undergo such a procedure as joint replacement. And so they are looking for reviews from those users who still decided to lie on the operating table. In most cases, people with artificial joints are advised to do arthroplasty. Moreover, according to the majority, the operation should not be delayed. If the doctor recommends it, you should start collecting money.
As for the location of the operation, most of the former patients speak well not only about foreign clinics, but also about our Russian ones. The network has flattering posts about Novosibirsk, Moscow, Kurgan, etc. surgeons. Postoperative care, the condition of the wards, feeding in Russian hospitals - all this, in most cases, according to patients, is up to standard. According to many, the main drawback of carrying out such a procedure as replacement of the knee joint is the price. Of course, 350 thousand rubles for many who need such prosthetics, this is a lot.
How to get a referral for an operation
Of course, only a doctor can make a conclusion about the need for an endoprosthetics procedure. Such operations are not carried out in all cities of the country. The patient chooses the clinic on his own. The attending physician only writes a referral. Of course, to reduce costs, you should choose a hospital closer to home. But you can also read reviews about various medical institutions and give preference to the best.
What problems can arise after knee replacement
If the patient follows all the recommendations of the attending physician, most likely, after the operation he will not have any complications. But sometimes problems do arise. As already mentioned, most often patients who undergo an endoprosthetics procedure encounter such troubles as:
The onset of an infectious process, which can be acute or chronic. It is possible to facilitate or stop its development with the help of antibiotics. Most often, this problem occurs in people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and taking hormonal drugs. In some cases, the development of infection can be stopped only after removal of the implanted joint.
Blood clots. This is a very serious complication, life-threatening for a patient who has undergone a procedure such as knee replacement. Rehabilitation of patients is therefore accompanied by taking including anticoagulants. They should be drunk 2-3 weeks after prosthetics without fail. A blood clot can lead to a heart attack or pulmonary embolism.
Of course, there is a (albeit insignificant) risk of rejection of the prosthesis. Also, sometimes after surgery, patients are faced with a problem such as a tear of the patellar ligament.
Endoprosthetics - an opportunity to return to normal life
The first operation to replace the knee with a prosthesis was done in the middle of the last century. At first, complications in patients were observed quite often. However, in our time, joint replacement in most clinics is a common operation, and its technology, as well as postoperative rehabilitation methods, have been worked out to the smallest detail. Therefore, complications in patients are extremely rare. So you should not be afraid to go to the operating table.