Total Knee Replacement FAQs

If you have been told that you need this type of surgery then you may be wondering about one of the total knee replacement FAQs. There are certain questions that most patients will tend have about the procedure and getting an answer can provide reassurance. It is always best to have the full picture before agreeing to any surgical procedure so hopefully after you have read these total knee replacement FAQs you will have a slightly better understanding of things. Of course if you have any other concerns you should speak directly to your surgical team who will give you appropriate answers related to your specific case.

Total Knee Replacement FAQs

Here are just some of the total knee replacements FAQs that people will commonly ask –

Are There Any Risks Involved With a Total Knee Replacement?
A total knee replacement does involve risks just like any other type of surgery. It needs to be said right away though that about 70,000 people in the UK alone each year will have this procedure and less than 5% of these will develop any type of complication. The most common complications that can arise include; infection, an allergic reaction to the artificial knee, development of a blood clot, excessive bleeding, excessive pain, scarring that prevents full movement of the knee, the insertion of a faulty artificial knee, or damage to surrounding nerves. With all types of surgery there is a risk of a reaction to the general aesthetic.

What is a Minimally Invasive Total Knee Replacement?
This is becoming one of the more common total knee replacement FAQs in recent years as more surgeons choose this type of surgery. A minimally invasive total knee replacement involves using smaller incisions to perform the procedure. This means that there will be a lot less scarring afterwards and it also reduces the chances of developing an infection. Those who have this type of surgery will tend to be back on their feet faster than those who have the open surgery. The minimally invasive option is not suitable for everyone though, especially if there is a lot of damage to the knee.

What is Bilateral Total Knee Replacement?
Bilateral total knee replacement means having the operation done on both knees at the same time. For a lot of people the damage of a disease process like arthritis will have affected both knees and so the bilateral surgery will be required. If the surgeon doesn’t work on both knees it will reduce the effectiveness of the procedure because the patient won’t be able to return to full mobility.

Will I Be Fully Mobile Following Total Knee Replacement?
This is another of the more common total knee replacement FAQs. In most cases you will get much of your independence back following surgery. You won’t be able to do extreme activities like running because this could damage the artificial knee. You should though be able to move about just as well as you used to do for day to day business.