The knee prosthesis
If the knee arthrosis is very advanced, the cartilage is heavily worn and the patient suffers from severe pain that cannot be contained by therapy, it is possible to restore or make the knee joint fully or partially resilient by means of a knee prosthesis. Knee prostheses can be distinguished between a partial prosthesis and a full knee prosthesis.The insertion of partial and full prosthesis is an operation which, like any other operation, can involve complications. (see: Complications of an operation) Here, in addition to a well performed operation and follow-up treatment, the constitution of the patient is important.
The patient’s age, general condition, body weight, previous illnesses and accompanying diseases can determine the success or possible complications of an operation. Thrombosis and a subsequent pulmonary embolism can also represent a risk after the operation. However, thrombosis is counteracted after the operation with medication and physiotherapy.
Infections, intra-articular adhesions with limited joint mobility and prosthesis loosening may also occur. In order to prevent prosthesis loosening, a biennial X-ray check should be performed after about 5-6 years. All in all, a knee prosthesis can significantly improve the patient’s quality of life, as pain is reduced or eliminated and the mobility and resilience of the joint is improved.
- Partial prostheses or surface reinforcements, so-called “inlays”, are used when the knee arthrosis has only partially damaged the joint surfaces. Thus, only a small part of the joint damaged by knee arthrosis is replaced and the healthy part of the knee is preserved. This means that the healthy ligamentous apparatus (collateral ligaments and cruciate ligaments) and healthy cartilage and bone are not replaced.
As a result, the movement of the knee feels more natural to the patient even after the partial prosthesis has been inserted.
- With a full knee prosthesis, the complete joint must be replaced. The full prosthesis is used when the knee arthrosis is already very advanced. Such a prosthesis generally consists of a femoral part, a tibial part and a patella part.
During the operation, all cartilage and bone parts that are injured or destroyed by the knee arthrosis are first removed and then replaced by the artificial joint parts. The operation can be performed under general or partial anesthesia. Which form of anaesthesia is chosen can be decided in consultation between the patient and the anaesthetist. The latter will also inform the patient about the risks of the respective anaesthesia.
