All About Knee Replacement Revision Surgery

The utilised knee implants will survive around 15 to 20 years in 85% to 90% of patients who receive a complete knee replacement. This indicates that certain patients who get knee replacement revision surgery at a younger age could later require a second procedure to clean the bone surfaces and refix the implants. For some people, it may be necessary to completely replace one or more of their implants. Knee replacement surgery or revision of the knee is the term used here.

What Exactly is a Knee Revision?

A knee replacement revision surgery is when a patient who previously underwent a complete knee replacement has their prosthetic implants replaced. An original prosthesis is removed during this procedure, referred to as a “reoperation,” and a new prosthesis is implanted in its stead.

Certain knee revisions may simply involve altering one implant, but other revisions may call for entirely swapping all of the prostheses that were implanted during the initial knee replacement surgery. This sort of total revision is a demanding treatment that needs substantial preoperative planning, sophisticated implants and instruments, extended operating durations, and knowledge of challenging surgical procedures.

It’s significant to highlight that a second knee replacement doesn’t have the same longevity as the first one (usually about 10 years rather than 20). Performance is reduced as a result of cumulative stress, scar tissue, and mechanical component degradation. The likelihood of problems during revisions is higher.

Who is a Candidate For Knee Replacement Revision Surgery?

Somebody whose prosthetic knee replacement revision surgery implant fails due to damage or wear, or who develops an infection in the region around the implant, may require a knee revision. Artificial knee implants may last a lifetime in older patients who receive knee replacement surgery. However, in younger patients, particularly those who lead an active lifestyle, the knee prostheses may ultimately break down, necessitating a second replacement in later years.

The following are the most prevalent reasons for knee revision:

Infectious disease:

Although the chance of infection after a complete knee replacement surgery is less than 1%, when infections do happen, a knee revision of some sort is usually required.

Destabilization:

When the soft tissues around the knee are unable to offer the stability required for proper function while standing or walking, this happens.

Stiffness:

In certain cases, the knee may develop an excessive amount of scar tissue, which limits how much the joint can move.

Typical wear and tear:

The components of a prosthesis may become loose over time or even shatter as a result of friction.

Recuperation and Rehabilitation

Following surgery, you’ll go through the same healing and rehabilitation procedure as someone who has a primary knee replacement surgery. Medication, physical therapy, and the prescription of blood thinners to avoid clots are all part of the treatment. Physical treatment will probably last for three months or longer, and at first, you’ll need an assistive walking aid like a cane, crutches, or walker.

Similar to the first knee replacement, it’s crucial to stand and move around as fast as you can. For the bone to develop and correctly attach to the implant, it requires pressure, compression, or resistance. In comparison to a person’s initial knee replacement, the period of recuperation differs following knee replacement revision surgery.

Many people require more time to recuperate following revision surgery, while others do so more quickly and with less pain than they had with the first TKR. Speak with your doctor if you believe you might need a revision and discuss your health to determine whether you are a good candidate for the procedure.

Complications After Knee Revision Surgery:

Similar to those after knee replacement surgery, complications after knee revision surgery are possible. They are as follows:

• Thrombosis of the deep veins
• A fresh implant infection
• If you are overweight, you are more likely to have implant loosening.
• Displacement of the new implant is twice as likely after revision surgery as it is during initial TKR.
• Bone tissue loss that is more severe or quick
• During the procedure, bone fractures may develop if the surgeon requires the use of force or pressure to remove the previous implant.
• Due to the leg’s shortening with the new prosthesis, there is a variation in leg length.
• Heterotopic bone development is the term for the bone that forms at the lower end of the femur after surgery.

Conclusion

Your mobility, strength, and coordination may all be enhanced by having hip or knee revision surgery. Unfortunately, not all hospitals provide the same outcomes. Certain people may be trusted more than others. To locate the hospital that is the best knee replacement surgery provider, you can be sure you’re asking the proper questions with the aid of the PSRI Hospital.

Their setting, degree of care, and high level of patient satisfaction have made them famous. Patients from the NCR, other parts of India, and overseas come for highly specialised tertiary level treatment because of the state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge equipment, and recognised experts – they offer the best knee replacement surgery.