Does osteoarthritis result in total or partial knee replacement?

In this article below, distinguished consultant orthopaedic surgeon, Mr Amol Chitre, tells us at what stage knee replacement surgery is offered to patients with osteoarthritis.

When is a knee replacement offered for osteoarthritis?

The answer I always give to people is when the knee becomes painful enough that they can't manage.

Does osteoarthritis result in total or partial knee replacement?

The main determinant of that is the amount of arthritis that people have in the knee. In general, the knee can be divided into three areas: the area behind the kneecap, the area on the inside, and the area on the outside of the knee.

If only one of those areas is affected, then we can usually proceed with a partial knee replacement. However, if two or more are affected, then we tend to move on to a full knee replacement.

Is knee replacement surgery a major operation?

It certainly is a major operation for those undergoing it. For us, though, it is a fairly routine operation. It is surgery that can ultimately affect how people walk and it is generally going to affect one of the major weight bearing joints of the body. Generally speaking, a knee replacement will take about an hour.

How soon can knee replacement surgery be performed after the first consultation?

It really depends on how fit they are for surgery. Someone who is very fit and active can have surgery within two weeks of having the first consultation. Other people might need other investigations, and in that case, things may take a little bit longer.

What is the cost of a knee replacement surgery based on?

Ultimately, there are different areas that are charged for. So, the easiest bit to see is the cost of the expertise that you're getting. That will be the surgical cost and the anaesthetic cost. There will also be hospital charges.

Are there any risks of having knee replacement surgery for osteoarthritis?

There are significant risks, but thankfully, they are fairly rare. The main risks that we worry about are things such as:

• infection
• nerve damage
• blood vessel damage
• numbness
• bleeding
• blood clots

How does a knee replacement improve quality of life in osteoarthritis patients?

A knee replacement is a great operation for improving one’s quality of life. It generally leads to a significant reduction in pain and up to 80 per cent of patients report that all their pain disappears. Some people may not have the exact function they expected after knee replacement surgery to have or get back to some of the activities that they wish to do, but their pain will be much improved.

To book an appointment with Mr Amol Chitre, simply head over to his Top Doctors profile today.