When your knee has structural damage, surgery may be necessary. It could also be necessary if other painkillers for structural damage or other disorders, such osteoarthritis, haven’t made a difference in your knee discomfort. If you decide to have surgery, an anesthesiologist will make sure you don’t experience any pain. Anesthesiologists, who specialise in pain management and are medical professionals, are essential to the treatment of pain and the healing process following surgery. Effective involvement in physical therapy and rehabilitation requires postoperative pain relief.
What kinds of knee surgery are there?
The two procedures that are performed on knees the most frequently are knee replacement and arthroscopy, which is a surgical technique used to treat a variety of knee issues.
Arthroscopic procedures
Arthroscopy is a kind of keyhole procedure used to identify and address a variety of knee issues. In a keyhole procedure, tiny incisions are used to put long, thin tools into the patient’s body. The surgeon performs arthroscopic knee surgery by inserting an arthroscope, a probe with a tiny camera, into the knee joint. For the purpose of assisting the surgeon’s job, the scope projects images onto a video monitor. A second incision is used to put surgical tools into the joint.
The most frequent arthroscopic surgeries for the knee, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, are as follows:
- Meniscus, a kind of cartilage in your knee that stabilises and cushions the joint, can be removed or repaired.
- repair of a damaged anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), a ligament that aids in maintaining knee joint stability.
- Getting rid of irritated connective tissue
- trimming of articular cartilage that is deteriorated
- Taking out any stray bone or cartilage pieces
- treatment for kneecap (patella) issues
- Medications for knee sepsis (infection)
Knee Replacement
In a knee replacement procedure, the surgeon removes the damaged knee joint components and replaces them with fresh components composed of metal, ceramic, or plastic. Contrary to the procedure’s name, the physician does not completely replace the knee joint.
Following knee replacement surgery, the new joint may experience some brief discomfort. However, physical rehabilitation can frequently start the day following surgery. After surgery, exercise is seen as essential to success. So that you may be active and properly engage in physical therapy, postoperative pain management is very crucial. At least 15 years should pass before a knee replacement has to be replaced; some last 20 years or more. Age is a consideration when selecting between surgery and other pain treatment options because knee replacements do not endure indefinitely.
How can I control discomfort while recovering?
Following knee surgery, there are a variety of pain treatment choices you should think about. The pros and drawbacks of any alternative or combination of options, including efficacy, potential side effects, potential for addiction, and impact on the recovery process, should be evaluated with a pain management professional. Pain management anesthesiologists can work with you before to and following surgery to develop a strategy specific to your health, personal background, and preferences.
It’s crucial to weigh all of your options while speaking with a pain management expert.
DR VIKAS MEHRA, the best Orthopaedic surgeon in Chandigarh, India.
Leading orthopaedic and joint replacement doctor in Chandigarh, India, Dr. Vikas Mehra’s post-graduate studies (MS) were completed at the famous PGI Chandigarh, and he also holds fellowships in joint replacement from the best hospitals in North America and is a Diplomate of the National Board of Orthopaedics. Around 50,000 orthopaedic procedures have been carried out by Dr. Mehra, including difficult hip, shoulder, and knee replacements, fracture repair, and spine surgery. He also performs arthroscopies for sports-related injuries. Additionally, he offers cutting-edge physiotherapy services at his facility. He is also one of the most senior surgeons in India and the Best Orthopedic Doctor in Chandigarh, with thirty years of clinical expertise.
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