Knee Replacement Surgery The Procedure and Post Surgical

Knee Replacement Surgery: The Procedure and Post Surgical Therapy By: Tania Marks University of California Santa Barbara November 30, 2004

Topics u Anatomy of the knee u Knee Replacement Surgery – Basic procedure and prosthesis – Conservative methods of treatment – Reasons for Knee replacement surgery u Post operative Treatment - Physical Therapy

Benefits of Knee Replacement Surgery Reduce Pain u Live comfortably u Correct deformities u Increase mobility, movement and strength u Procedure is common and very successful u

Anatomy of the Knee u u u u Knee is a weak joint Femur- thigh bone Tibia- shin bone Cartilage Ligaments Quadriceps muscles Patella tendon and patella Quadriceps tendon Figure 1: Side and front view of patellofemoral joint [Patient's Guide to Total Knee Surgery, 2004]

Knee Replacement Surgery Procedure Figure 2: Surgical Procedure [Collins and Pavlik, 2004]

Prosthesis u Artificial Replacement u Metal used for the femur u Plastic used for the tibia Figure 3: Knee Prosthesis [A Patients Guide to Total knee replacement surgery, 2004]

Conservative Methods of Treatment u NSAID- non steroidal antiinflammatory medication – Aspirin, naprosyn, and ibuprofen u Physical Therapy – exercises

Reasons for Knee Replacement Surgery u Knee Pain u Osteoarthritis (See figure) u Tumors Figure 4: Before and After Knee replacement surgery of knees with osteoarthritis [Shiers, 1975]

Post Operative Treatment: Physical Therapy Goals u Increase flexibility u Increase coordination u Increase movement u Enhance endurance and daily activities u Increase range of motion

Sample Exercises and Purpose u Quadriceps setting – u Heel slides - u Terminal Knee Extension- increase muscle strength increase flexion and extension Figure 4: Quadriceps settings, heel slides Terminal Knee Extension Exercises [Muller and Webber Physical Therapy office, 2004]

Conclusion: Knee Replacement Surgery over the Years u u One of the fastest growing surgeries According to hospital database in Canada, the number of knee replacement surgeries per year: – 1994 - 1995 = 15, 360 – 2001 = 23, 130 – 2001 – 2002 = 25, 815