Living Well 60+ May-June 2014

MAY/JUNE 2 0 1 4
Knee Replacement Surgery
Worn-out knees get new, longer life
by Jamie Lober, Staff Writer
If your knee is damaged from
arthritis or injury and you have a
hard time performing daily functions
such as climbing stairs, and
non-surgical treatments such as
medications or walking supports
are not helping, knee replacement
surgery might be in your future.
“Total knee replacement refers
to surgery to replace the wornout
parts of the knee,” said Dr.
Stephen Duncan, an orthopedic
surgeon specializing in knee and
hip preservation and replacement
with UK Healthcare. The procedure
involves removing the cartilage
from the end of the femur or
thigh bone, the tibia or shin bone
and sometimes the undersurface
of the kneecap. “The femur and
tibia are then capped with metal
and a high-grade plastic spacer is
placed between the two surfaces,”
Duncan said. “That allows for
improved motion of the knee
and a better quality of life for the
patient.”
According to the Agency for
Healthcare Research and Quality,
more than 600,000 knee replacements
are performed annually
in the United States. Most often
they are done for patients with
osteoarthritis. Knee replacement
surgery has advanced significantly
since the first surgery of this kind
was performed in 1968.
“Knee replacements were originally
designed to last 10 to 15 years
and as such, individuals over the
age of 65 were the ideal candidates
for the surgery,” said Duncan.
But now the age group of patients
is broader than it used to be. Seniors
aren’t the only ones receiving
knee replacements.
“With more advances in the materials
used to replace the knee, knee
replacements are lasting longer
and the age of the patient who is
a candidate is getting younger as a
result,” said Duncan.
Obesity has contributed to the development
of arthritis in younger
people. The knee feels more stress
from the increased weight placed
on it. “Weight loss, coupled with
a strengthening program for the
thigh muscles, can help relieve this
stress and improve the function of
the knee,” said Duncan.
If you are not sure the procedure
could benefit you, a good first step
is to find out whether you have
arthritis and then see a specialist
to learn more about knee replacement.
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“The orthopedist will then determine
if the patient is an appropriate
candidate for a knee replacement
if the [health] history,
physical examination and X-rays
demonstrate loss of most of the
cartilage of the knee,” said Duncan.
You should discuss with your
physician the risks and benefits of
the procedure.
There are other ways to know
if you should consider surgery.
“When individuals develop pain
in the knee that interferes with
their normal daily activities, then
it might be time to talk with a
joint replacement specialist,”
Duncan said.
Laboratory data shows new knees
should last almost 30 years. Each
patient recovers from the surgery
at a different rate. “Full recovery
from a knee replacement is around
three months but may vary from
patient to patient,” said Duncan.
Once you have had a knee replacement,
you must do your best to
protect it. The American Academy
of Orthopaedic Surgeons suggests
participating in regular light
exercise programs after surgery
to maintain proper strength and
mobility of your new knee. Take
special precautions to avoid falls
and injuries. It is also recommended
that you see your orthopedic
surgeon for a routine follow-up
examination and X-rays, usually
once a year.
With improved knee replacement
designs, outcomes are very good.
“Almost 80 percent of patients are
happy with their replaced knee,”
said Duncan. “We are hoping that
number continues to improve so
patients are able to get back to
doing more of the activities they
enjoy doing – or just getting a full
night of sleep.”
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