What is a Total Knee Replacement?
Total Knee Replacement Surgery is performed for arthritic knees, wehre pain relief and function are the primary indicators. Since knee replacement does not restore your knee to its former youth. such surgery should only be undertaken when all non-operative measures have failed and the patient is substantially pained and disabled in everyday activities. Total knee replacement surgery is aimed at restoring function and reducing pain.
Partial Knee Replacements can be performed in certain circumstances, and Dr. Wood will discuss this option with you if he deems this a better approach.
Many types of knee replacements are available, but all work on the same basic design of a metal component at either end of the bone and plastic insert forming the new joint surface.
Success Rate & Risks
Patients undergoing a Total Knee Replacement surgery have a 90% success rate, with good pain relief function and are satisfied. Implants have a 95% 10-yr survival rate (i.e 95% of patients still have knee implants in place and functioning well at 10 years). After this time people start to wear or loosen their joints depending on usage.
The following complications can occur:
- 5% chance of ongoing pain from the knee (unknown cause)
- 5% chance of complications which can occur around the time of surgery
Dr. Wood performs over 150 knee surgeries per year.
