Advanced Total Knee Replacement Surgery in Dubai at Clemenceau Medical Centre Hospital. Customised approach to knee replacement including partial, total, bilateral and robotic knee replacement surgery.
Everyone’s knee is different, and everyone recovers at a different rate, which is why we customize our approach to each patient and provide individulaised treatment plans
Also known as knee arthroplasty, total knee replacement is a surgical procedure used to repair a damaged knee. Orthopedic surgeons use metal and plastic prosthetics to cap the end of the bones that make up the knee joint, along with the kneecap.
Total knee replacement surgery is often recommended if non-surgical therapies like medication, physiotherapy, and using walking supports are no longer effective. The technique is a safe and effective intervention to relieve pain, correct leg deformity, and help the patient resume his/her regular activities. Total knee replacement surgery is typically considered for someone who has severe end stage arthritis / stage 4 arthritis, or a severe knee injury.
CMC Hospital Dubai’s cutting-edge robotic surgery unit includes an advanced robotic assisted knee replacement system. The robot allows our physicians to provide even more customized and precise knee replacement surgery, reducing operating time and improving patient outcomes.
Total knee replacement, which is performed under general anesthesia, varies depending on the patient’s condition and the surgeon’s approach. However, the procedure requires a stay in a hospital.
During the procedure, an incision will be made in the knee area, and the damaged knee joint surfaces will be removed. The prosthesis, which is made of either metal or plastic, will be used to resurface the knee joint. The orthopedic surgeon will then close the incision with stitches. He/she may place a drain in the incision site to remove the fluid. Finally, a sterile bandage will be applied.
The extent to which the patient will adhere to the doctor’s recommendations at home in the initial weeks after surgery has a significant impact on the outcome of the procedure. The patient will be issued with instructions that will aid in the healing process which will mainly focus on wound care, diet, and physical activities.
Minimally invasive knee replacement surgery is where we as surgeons use specific techniques to avoid damage to tendons and muscles when performing a knee replacement surgery (via the use intermuscular planes so that muscles or tendons are not disturbed or cut). These approaches are associated with less muscle damage, less bleeding and faster recovery.
Any joint replacement surgery whether it is minor or major surgery is associated with a certain level of discomfort, however we have a very customized approach to pain management where we use spinal anaesthesia, regional and local anaesthetic infiltration around the knee itself, we use a nerve block, so patients are very comfortable once they wake up after the knee replacement. The intensity of the pain level is also very much controlled.
On average a knee replacement surgery should take anywhere between 60 to 70 minutes. This is the time taken from skin incision to skin closure.
On average most patients go home between the third and fourth day, however everyone recovers at a different rate and some people the criteria in terms of vital signs, exercise routines etc and are happy to leave after 48 hours. There are specific enhanced recovery protocols where in very select cases, patients maybe eligible (with correct home support) to discharge same-day.
There are well-documented bodies of evidence to indicate that a well-performed total knee replacement surgery should last the patient 20-25 years of full functional capability.
A total knee replacement surgery is a procedure we carry out when the patient has got advanced osteoarthritis and the articular cartilage of the knee completely worn out, and has a lot of excess osteophytes or excess bone developing. We use an artificial implant to replace and resurface the worn out parts of the knee.
Although a frequently conducted procedure with very low likelihood of complications, TKR is still considered a major surgery, and with any major surgery certain complications even if minimal are a possibility. These include: Fracture, wearing out of the prosthesis, Persistent pain, Potential bleeding, Infection, blood clots in the legs or lungs
There are different schools of thought, however If the surgeon has determined clinically and radiologically that knee replacement is the definitive treatment of choice then there are a number of reasons why it may be best not to delay a total knee replacement too long: • Loss of muscle bulk due to reduced activity level • Reduced cardiovascular activity due to reduced activity level can affect the overall recovery • When muscle bulk is lost if can affect function post TKR as you need muscles to work the new knee
It all depends on what that individual was doing before their knee surgery. For sporting activities it varies. Working out in the gym, some basic cardio training cardio can start within four to six weeks after the knee replacement surgery. For outdoor activity, it’s advisable to wait longer, 6-12 weeks, but you need to take a customised approach based on your own confidence, healing, activity level. You may need to take things a but easier as you should avoid putting yourself at risk with a new knee replacement.
Whether a patient will have an artificial kneecap or keep original kneecap is usually determined by the surgeon at the time of surgery. If the kneecap has worn out a lot and is affected by grade 4 osteoarthritis then it is better to replace with an artificial kneecap.
