Knee specialists are those doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of ailments related to the knee. Knee replacement surgeons are the orthopaedic surgeons who specialized in the treatment of the knee, joints and muscle of the region. Knee injuries are often a result of sports injuries, trauma and others are majorly due to medical complications. Some patients will also feel pain localized to a small part of the knee; others will feel pain throughout the entire knee.
Knee replacement surgery is one of the most commonly performed surgeries all across the world. The procedure was first performed in the year 1968, and has henceforth been subjected to improvisation and modification. The procedure is mainly performed in candidates diagnosed with degenerated knee joint due to osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and various kind of degenerative diseases. In case of complete degeneration, the knee joint gets eroded and needs to get either partially or completely replaced with prosthesis by duly qualified knee replacement surgeons.
Knee replacement surgery is usually performed for treatment of knee pain and disability in the knee. The surgery helps to improve the quality of life and improve mobility. The most common condition that results in the need for knee replacement surgery is osteoarthritis which is characterized by the breakdown of joint cartilage. Damage to the cartilage and bones limits movement and may cause pain in the knee. Knee replacement surgery is often performed as the last option if other forms of treatment such as medication, physical therapy fails.
There are different types of surgeries performed by knee replacement surgeons based on the extent of knee damage. Below mentioned are to name a few:
Total Knee Replacement: It involves replacing the joint surface at the end of the thigh bone (femur) and the joint surface at the top of the shin bone (tibia). A total knee replacement may also involve replacing the under-surface of the kneecap (patella) with a smooth plastic dome.
Unicompartmental Knee Replacement: This is done if one side of the knee – usually the inner side is affected and is partially replaced. The procedure is also known as partial knee replacement and involves smaller incision when compared with TKR.
Patellofemoral Arthroplasty: Patellofemoral Arthroplasty involves replacing just the under-surface of the kneecap and its groove (the trochlea) if these are the only parts affected by arthritis. This procedure is done for minimal damage due to osteoarthritis. However, If the damage due to osteoarthritis continues a total knee replacement surgery is done.
Following are the most sought after knee replacement surgeons from across the globe:
