Knee joint replacement is the implantation of a prosthesis in place of the affected knee joint. This surgery is one of the most sought-after in the field of orthopedics in Israel.
Indications for Surgery
The knee joint is structured as the interaction of two hinges. The difference from a conventional mechanical structure is that the knee joint has the property of rotation. The bones involved in forming the joint are connected by menisci and cartilage, which acts as a kind of cushion. The main work of maintaining the joint relies on its four ligaments. If these ligaments weaken, the knee joint becomes unstable. In such a situation, the muscles partially take on the role of the ligaments.
However, there are a number of diseases that necessitate knee joint replacement:
- In osteoarthritis of the knee joint, the smooth gliding surface of the joint wears away
- Rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation of the knee joint
- Ankylosing spondylitis, or Bechterew's disease
- Gonarthrosis combined with functional impairments of the limb
- Aseptic necrosis
- Various injuries to the knee joint, including improper healing of an intra-articular fracture after trauma.
Diagnosis
At the leading clinic in Israel, Ichilov, a series of advanced diagnostic procedures will be conducted for the patient before knee joint replacement surgery:
- X-ray of the knee joint
- Electrocardiography
- Magnetic resonance imaging – to model a template of the joint for prosthesis manufacturing
- Comprehensive laboratory blood analysis.
In addition to collecting medical history, detailed consultations with leading specialists in orthopedics and anesthesiology are conducted at Ichilov Clinic.
Procedure for Knee Joint Replacement Surgery
Knee joint replacement in Israel is performed when no preventive or conservative measures have yielded results. The goal of the surgery is to implant a prosthesis in place of the affected knee joint. The prosthesis is made of a metal alloy, equipped with high-quality plastic and polymers. The duration of the surgery is 1-3 hours. Total knee replacement (or knee arthroplasty). The orthopedic surgeon makes an incision in the front of the knee. The purpose of this is to lift the kneecap. Then, the edges of the tibia and femur are prepared for the prosthetic components. The kneecap may also be replaced if it is severely damaged. A computerized system is used at Ichilov Clinic to visualize the surgeon's actions. At the end of the surgery, the leg may be stabilized. Partial knee replacement is indicated only in cases of partial damage to the knee joint, for example, if the pathological process has affected a specific sector of the patient's cartilage tissue. Although rehabilitation after such surgery occurs much faster, the risk of complications is high. This is because only the most damaged part is removed, but arthritis continues to destroy surrounding tissues. Minimally invasive knee joint replacement surgery is a point of pride for the skilled surgeons at Ichilov Clinic, Israel. The damaged joint is replaced with a prosthesis through small incisions.