Knees are the strongest joints of the human body that allow the movement of lower legs and coordinate their motion with that of the thigh. The knees bear the entire pressure of the body with every step that we take and hence they are prone to wear and tear when the age of the person increases. The damage caused to the knee can be due to certain diseases or due to a severe injury. Some of the diseases or injuries of the knee joint are severe and cause unbearable pain and discomfort even while resting. When such pain and sufferings do not respond to any medication and physiotherapy, and make it difficult for the person to carry even the daily activities like walking and climbing stairs, the doctors recommend knee surgeries for the same. Let us know brief facts about some of the knee surgeries.
Recovery Tips and Measures
Ligament Knee Reconstruction surgery is a major surgery and takes time for the patient to recover. Although few measures are advised by the doctors to ensure faster recovery and long lasting results of the surgery
- Exercise: Fully restricting the activity of the knee will only hamper its condition further and thus some exercises are suggested to the patients by physiologists. These exercises help retaining the strength and mobility of the knee back again.
- Lower level physical activities: These are suggested by the physiologists 6 to 12 weeks post the surgery. These exercises enable the patient to regain the strength of the knee that is required in order to be able to perform normal routine activities.
Knee Reconstruction Surgery
Certain severe injuries or conditions result into tearing of the entire ligament that is present in the knee and inhibit the person from doing even the basic activities due to pain and discomfort. In cases like these, Knee Reconstruction Surgery is the only treatment measure suggested by the doctor. This surgery involves removal of the worn out ligament and placement of a graft in place of the same.
Knee Replacement Surgery
Knee replacement surgery is the removal of the damaged or diseased knee surfaces and replacing them with prosthesis that are made up of plastic or metal. Arthritis is the most common cause of knee replacement surgery in patients. Partial and full are the two types of knee replacement surgeries that are recommended by the surgeons according to the need of the patient.
Recovery from Knee Replacement
- Physical Therapy – The condition of the knee worsens if it is not introduced to mobility soon and also helps greatly in recovery. Thus the physical therapist suggests some exercises or activities of the knee that can help the patient to regain its mobility.
- Keeping Knee Joint Straight – According to physical therapists, keeping the knee joint straight is a priority for the patient who has underwent knee replacement surgery in the immediate days post the surgery. Thus care is taken that no such posture or activity is taken by the patient after the surgery.
Meniscus Repair Surgery
Meniscus is a part of cartilage present in the knee that acts as a cushion and absorbs any shock caused to the knee. It provides stability and equilibrium to the knee. However certain shocks from injuries if severe, can damage or tear the meniscus. Often performed in a combination with Ligament reconstruction surgery, meniscus repair surgery is a procedure in which the meniscus is repaired by stitches or anchors and thus helps in regaining the stability.
Tips and Measures for recovery
Rehabilitation Exercises: Movement of the knee joint plays an important role in recovery from the surgical procedures of the knee. The physical therapist thus advice the patients to practice various rehabilitation exercises that restore the strength and swiftness of the knee.
