An endoprosthesis is an artificial joint that can be used to replace another joint in the human body. The artificial implant serves as a joint replacement, which should remain in the body for as long as possible. Various reasons may be behind the use of a prosthesis. In most cases, these are age-related signs of wear and tear, such as osteoarthritis.

If the affected joint is no longer fully functional due to signs of wear, injuries or accidents, endoprosthetics may be considered. One of the most important reasons, besides permanent pain, can be the restriction of movement. Other circumstances, which can speak for the use of prostheses:

• Malpositions
• Bone defects

Various goals are pursued with arthroplasty. First and foremost, it is intended to alleviate the pain that has arisen due to irreversibly damaged joints. Your quality of life should be improved and mobility restored.

A wide variety of types of joints can be replaced during arthroplasty, such as:

• Knee joint
• Hip joint
• Ankle joint

Endoprosthetics is used more frequently than average in Germany every year, so that the use of a knee prosthesis or other endoprosthesis is a routine procedure.

Osteoarthritis:

This is age-related arthritis caused due to the normal wear and tear of the knee joint.

Post-traumatic arthritis:

This arthritis is caused due to a serious knee injury which leads to tearing off of the ligaments or breaking of the knee. This arthritis affects the knee cartilage.

Rheumatoid arthritis:

This is inflammatory arthritis which is caused due to thickening and inflammation around the membrane of the knee joint.

Types of knee replacement procedures:

The knee replacement procedure can be either total or partial:

Total knee replacement

Here, both the sides of the knee joint are replaced with surgery. This surgery is one of the most common procedures and takes 1-3 hours. With the surgery, the intensity of the pain will decrease and the mobility will become better.

Partial knee replacement

During this procedure, only one side of the knee is replaced. Since less bone is wiped out, the incision is usually smaller. It is suitable for patients who have damaged only one part of the knee.

The knee replacement is suitable for patients who:

Experience severe pain or stiffness in the knees, making it difficult for them to carry out the daily activities such as walking, climbing stairs, etc.

Experience moderate to severe knee pain which continues even at the time of sleeping.

Experience chronic knee pain which shows no improvement despite the medication

Experience a noticeable deformity in the knee caused either inside or outside the knee

Introduction:

The surgery for knee replacement is done for restoring the weight-bearing structure of a damaged, diseased or worn knee joint.

It is also known as knee resurfacing or knee arthroplasty. The knee replacement procedure is considered the expert treatment for sports injuries. The surgery restores the function as well as the alignment of the knee.

Preparing for the knee replacement surgery:

After the diagnosis, and decision about undergoing the knee replacement surgery, some pre-operative preparation is required in terms of the physical evaluations that must be conducted at least a month prior to the surgery.

The preparatory tests will include carrying out ECGs, checking the blood pressure and the blood clots, and conducting urine tests.

During the surgery:

During the surgery, the surgeon removes the damaged bone and the cartilage and then uses metal, plastic components, or implants for forming a capping for the knee joint which is shaped as the joint. This helps in the smooth movement of the degenerated knees of the patients.