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Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

Knee replacement

Total Knee Replacement is a surgical procedure in which the knee joint is replaced by a prosthetic implant.

Knee replacement becomes necessary when pain and deformity occur in the knee joint due to a variety of reasons, the most common of which is osteoarthritis.

Untreated arthritis of the knee joint is progressive but surgery is not recommended until symptoms interfere with daily activities or where pain occurs at rest or is associated with instability.

Knee replacement is now commonplace and in most instances patients are able to get back to almost all of their pre-arthritis activities.

Knee replacement surgery has continued to advance over the last few years resulting in patients having:

  • Better pain control
  • Faster mobilisation
  • Earlier discharge from hospital after operations.

Dr Redgment's results from the National Joint Registry show that in his patients after 15 years 96% still have successful in place implants. This is compared to a national average of 91%.

Recent changes in designs now more closely simulate a natural knee. A new approach called kinematic alignment is used, individualising the choice of implants for the fit of the knee to better suit the individual patient.

 

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Fit, motivated patients consistently seem to do well.

Continue to exercise.

Lose weight if you need to. If you have type II diabetes, your diabetic control will be improved by weight loss. You will be given an individual guide to help you.

Stop smoking. Almost every risk is magnified if you smoke.

Usually 3 to 4 days. With good home support this can be shortened.

The surgery is done to reduce pain and improve movement and it is our job to minimise post operative pain.

With a spinal anaesthetic and the use of local anaesthetic there is usually no pain on waking post surgery. This allows you and the nursing staff to be on top of the pain when the anaesthetic wears off.

Early movement is encouraged. It is important to move your feet up and down to promote blood flow and prevent a blood clot.

All going well, you will be up and walking the next morning. If necessary, you can stand soon after surgery, for example to pass urine. A catheter is occasionally required.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

Dr Redgment will discuss all the risks with you during the appointment and answer any of your questions.

It is important to move the knee early to regain movement. Swelling limits movement in the first few days but it is usually possible to get 90 degrees of flexion within the first day or two. Sitting out of bed with the knee bent for a few hours a day helps. You will also be guided by the physiotherapist.

Current statistics show for Dr Redgment that at 15 years 96% of patients still have their original knee implants in place. This is compared to the national average of 91%.

Yes. Usually metal detectors will be set off by your new knee. Just make sure you have nothing in your pockets on that side.

It is usually possible to return to pre operative activities somewhere between 4 and 8 weeks after surgery. Start slowly and be cautious. Ask specifically regarding activities such as snow skiing, bike or horse riding and running.