Myths about Total Knee Replacement

Myth#1 - Knee replacement is a surgery for old people. “I’m too young for a knee replacement.”
Fact - Candidacy for a knee replacement is not based on age, but on the person’s level of pain and immobility. Living with a painful joint that prohibits you from working or participating in normal life activities is an outdated way of thinking. Age is not necessarily a limiting factor. Often times, a patient is actually fearful about the uncertainty of surgery. Once they are able to resume many of the activities they enjoyed before the surgery, with increased mobility and with less pain, they are very happy they had the surgery. The quality of life one achieves by living without knee pain is priceless.

Myth#2 - “I should wait as long as possible to undergo knee replacement surgery” 
Fact - You don't need to suffer by waiting until the pain is intolerable. The longer life of joint replacements enables people to consider surgery earlier and at a younger age. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that continues to damage the joint and delaying surgery makes both surgery and return to activity more difficult. Delaying surgery lowers a patients’ quality of life not only before the operation, but even for up to two years following surgery.

Myth#3 - “I should continue with medications as long as possible”
Fact - Medicines including painkillers just give symptomatic relief for a temporary duration and prolonged usage is riddled with serious side effects such as renal failure, peptic ulceration  etc. All these medicines are NOT curable.

Myth#4 - Alternative therapies such as acupressure, ozone treatment, massage beds, oils, laser therapy, magnetic therapy; braces will cure my advanced arthritis and knee pain.
Fact - Till date there is NO cure for advanced knee arthritis and these alternate therapies are not backed by established scientific data. All these modalities give temporary pain relief in early to moderate arthritis for some duration only and are NOT curative. Often times, a patient who is actually fearful about the uncertainty of surgery lands up trying these in order to avoid surgery. 

Myth#5 - After a knee replacement, it takes months to recover.
Fact - Depending on the activity, most patients who undergo knee replacement are able to perform routine tasks within a few weeks. A return to rigorous activity takes only a few months. One becomes independent for himself before discharge from hospital. There’s no prolonged best rest required after the surgery.


Myth#6 - After knee replacement, I’ll have to give up some activities and sports.
Fact - You have a high probability of getting back to activities like brisk walking or cycling in 6 to 12 weeks. It will take a bit longer to return to more rigorous activities and contact sports. Squatting and sitting cross legged though possible but at best should be kept to minimal.

Myth#7 - Knee replacement surgery leaves a large scar that is noticeable.
Fact - Scarring is minimal compared to traditional surgery. In fact, the scar is typically only 3 to 5 inches long. As time passes, the scar will fade and become less noticeable.

Myth#8 - Knee replacement is a very painful surgery. There is lots of pain in post operative period.
Fact - With modern day pain management such as in a multimodal approach, ensures that the patient does not feel any pain in post op period and has a smooth recovery.

Myth#9 - Knee replacement is done one at a time.
Fact - Both the knees can be operated at the same time if the patient does not have significant co morbidities and is deemed fit to undergo the procedure by the doctor.

Myth#10 - The new knee lasts for 5-6 yrs. only.
Fact - With modern day precision including computer assisted knee replacement and advancement in biomaterials, the survivorship has increased considerably. Today's joint replacements last 25 years or longer and, for most people, will last a lifetime.

Myth#11 - Knee replacement cannot be done a second time.
Fact - Knee replacement can be done multiple times what is called as a revision joint replacement surgery with good survivorship.

Myth#12 - “I am obese, I cannot undergo Knee replacement surgery.”
Fact - Knee replacement can be successfully done in an obese patient though the recovery is somewhat prolonged and might require additional implants. However, patients who are morbidly obese and have restricted mobility primarily due to obesity are better off after a bariatric procedure.

Myth#13 “I have diabetes or hypertension or heart ailment, so  I cannot undergo Knee replacement surgery.”
Fact  - diabetes hypertension or heart.



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 13 Myths About Total Knee Replacement (TKR), Busted!

Like other knee injuries, the torn meniscus can be painful and debilitating. But unfortunately, it is quite common. In fact, a torn meniscus is one of the most frequently occurring cartilage injuries of the knee.

What is Meniscus? 

A meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage present in the knee that acts as a cushion and stabilizes the joint. Its function is to protect the knee from wear and tear. Two menisci are present in each of the knee joints. They can get damaged or torn during activities, which puts pressure on the knee joint or may rotate it.

What causes a meniscus to tear? 

A quick stop or vigorous twist may force the femur to crumble into the top of the tibia. It may potentially tear out the cartilage of the meniscus. It may also occur while doing deep squats or kneeling, especially while lifting a heavyweight. Athletic activities often result in this knee injury, particularly in the sportspersons such as footballers and hockey players. Sports that involve sudden stopping and pivoting such as tennis and basketball may also result in the torn meniscus. Meniscus tears are a special risk in elder people as the cartilage weakens and wears thin over time. As the age progresses, worn tissues become more prone to tears. Just a clumsy twist while getting up from the bed or chair is sometimes enough to cause a tear in case of weakened menisci due to aging.

Symptoms of a meniscus tear: One may hear a popping sound around the knee joint when a meniscus tear occurs. Initially, the pain may not bad but once the inflammation sets in, the knee starts hurting quite a bit. The knee may get stiff or locked. It may become difficult to move the knee in a full range of motion.

Diagnosis of a Meniscus Tear: Diagnosis of a meniscus tear starts with the patient s history and a physical examination. The doctor inspects, palpates, and applies specific diagnostic maneuvers to diagnose a torn meniscus. The McMurray test is used to make the clinical diagnosis of a meniscus tear. The doctor flexes the knee, then straightens and rotates it to put tension on a torn meniscus. The movement will cause a clicking sound if a meniscus tear is present in the knee. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is the preferred choice to diagnose the torn meniscus. This technique allows the doctor to evaluate the knee cartilage in a more detailed way.

Treatment of Torn Meniscus: The treatment of a torn meniscus depends on the severity and the location of the tear. If the size of the tear is small and the location is on the outer end of the meniscus, a surgical repair is usually not required. Give rest to your knee as much as possible. The doctor may advise using crutches to avoid putting weight on the legs. Icing the knee every three to four hours for 30 minutes is recommended for this injury. You may use compress bandage to reduce the inflammation. Try to keep the knee in an elevated position to reduce the swelling. NSAIDs may be prescribed to get relief from pain and inflammation. If the symptoms persist, the doctor may advise for an arthroscopic surgery.

Torn Meniscus - What Exactly Is It? 

Three Ways to Protect Your Knees

The knee is known as the largest and one of the most complex joints in the human body, and also one of the most vulnerable, as it supports the weight of the entire body. The knee joint is made up of several elements including the knee cap, meniscus, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and muscles. Damage to any part of the knee can cause chronic pain. So how can you protect your knee from damage and injury? Take a look at these three points!

Dealing with Load: Weight is a big one. Carrying around extra pounds and kilograms can be detrimental for your knees in the long run. Your knee is not equipped to handle the excessive weight. It already supports three to five times your weight when you get up and walk around or indulge in some mild jogging. One must be careful of those extra pounds to take the load off the knee and keep it from falling prey to damage.

Exercise: Moderate to intense exercise is prescribed for one and all. This, of course, depends on one's overall health and age. If you are already suffering from joint pain, then you may want to go easy on the exercise with a focus on building muscle strength and foundation. If you are healthy, then some amount of daily exercise as a routine will keep those knees in prime working condition and well lubricated as well. Inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle can affect the knees very badly.

Do not Ignore: Warning signals such as chronic or acute knee pain should not be ignored. Remember to see a doctor or an orthopaedic specialist to find out if you have contracted an infection or if you may have suffered a fracture due to an injury. Also, it is important to take a bone density test regularly, especially after the age of 40 or for women going through menopause, as this will point to any deficiencies and even warn you in case there is any trace of osteoporosis.

Rest, exercise, and food should be kept in fine balance for a healthy body. These are a few measures that one can take to keep knee pain at bay. Yet, it is also advisable to speak with a doctor at length regarding measures to protect your knees.

Remember to ask us for a private consultation today!

Three Ways to Protect Your Knees

Your knee is guarded and cushioned by a cartilage known as meniscus. A meniscus tear, therefore, is an extremely painful and discomforting situation. It occurs very frequently and has emerged as one of the most commonly occurring cartilage injuries. What makes a meniscus tear an extremely common phenomenon is the way it can tear that is all it takes is a twist of the knee for it to happen.

People involved in sports mostly face the brunt of this form of injury. The risk of getting meniscus torn increases with age and tends to occur at the slightest change of direction of movement. 

Symptoms 
Some of the symptoms of a torn meniscus are:
1. Pain and inflammation: it goes without saying that an internal injury of the cartilage or tearing away of it would inevitably result in extreme pain and inflammation near the knee.
2. Immobility: the extreme pain and inflammation, which follows will inevitably make it difficult to move. Since the pain occurs in the joint, you will have difficulty in walking and any forceful movement will only aggravate the pain.
3. Locking of the knee: locking of the knee refers to a situation when you are unable to move your knee. This occurs most commonly after you have your meniscus torn.

Treatment
Notwithstanding its frequency of occurrence, there are several ways, by which you can treat a torn meniscus. Some of the ways are:
1. Apply ice: in order to get some relief, applying ice is a suitable option. If you apply ice every day for some time, it wonders in reducing swelling and the consequent pain.
2. Use a bandage: in order to control the swelling, it is important that you cover your knee with an elastic bandage.
3. Change the posture: it is important that you keep the affected knee in an elevated plane, in order to ensure an efficient blood supply and a consequent relief from pain.

Some medical treatments
There are many things to consider when deciding how to treat your torn meniscus, including the extent and location of the tear, your pain level, your age and activity level, your doctor's preference, and when the injury occurred. Your medical treatment choices are:
1. Nonsurgical treatment with compression, elevation, and physical therapy. This may include wearing a temporary shoulder brace.
2. Surgical repair to sew the tear together.
3. Partial meniscectomy, which is surgery to remove the torn section.
4. Total meniscectomy, which is surgery to remove the entire meniscus. This is generally avoided, because this option increases the risk for osteoarthritis in the shoulder.
5. Whenever possible, meniscus surgery is done using arthroscopy, rather than through a large cut in the shoulder.

Symptoms and Treatment of Torn Meniscus

A meniscus tear is a common injury associated with the knee. The meniscus acts a defensive shield, providing a much-needed cushion to the knees, keeping it stable and injury free. Each knee joints contain two menisci located between the tibia and the femur. In this article, we will discuss important details related to meniscus tear to help you understand the injury better.

Facts related to a Meniscus Tear

A meniscus tear can affect all and sundry. However, sports persons (especially those associated with soccer, tennis, football, and basketball) and aged people are more susceptible to the condition.
As per Boston Children's Hospital, of late there has been a steady rise among children suffering from the meniscus tear.
Osteoarthritis may act as a catalyst, accelerating the chances of a meniscus tear.
In most of the times, a meniscus tear occurs when you exert immense pressure on the knee joints such as lifting a heavy object or suddenly standing up from a squatting position. With age, the meniscus is known to suffer from a natural wear and tear resulting in the injury.
As already mentioned, there are two menisci present in each knee joints. The one present inside the knee joint is called Medial Meniscus. Lateral Meniscus is the one present on the outer part of the joint.
Depending on the extent and severity of the injury, a meniscus tear may be
A minor tear: This is a small injury accompanied by mild pain and swelling which may last for not more than 2-3 weeks.
A moderate tear: The injury results in pain that are concentrated mainly around the center or the sides of the knee. The swelling goes from bad to worse over the next 2-3 days, with the person facing discomfort while bending their knee. The knee also stiffens. You may be relieved of the symptoms within a week or two but overusing the knee or twisting it may cause a relapse.
A severe tear: True to its name, your knee is the worst affected in this case. The cartilage tear may be such that the torn pieces get lodged in between the joint spaces causing the knee to lock, pop or even catch. A person experiences unbearable pain and discomfort along with stiffness and swelling (can be immediately following the injury or within 2-3 days). In the case of a severe meniscus tear, a person may not be able to straighten the knee at all (without treatment and medical intervention)
Treatment for a meniscus tear may be surgical or nonsurgical.
The nonsurgical treatment involves the application of cold compress on the affected area. The person needs to take ample rest exerting minimum pressure on the affected knee. Physiotherapy and strengthening exercise can go a long way in improving the condition. To reduce the pain and swelling, the doctor may prescribe painkillers and NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs). Keep the knee elevated. The use of elastic wraps may be helpful.

In extreme cases, surgery may help to treat the injury and the associated symptoms.

Facts About a Meniscus Tear!

Knee pain is something that can affect anyone - irrespective of their age. While sometimes it may be of minor importance - and can easily be handled by self-care, often, lingering pain is a manifestation of some other serious underlying problem, such as arthritis. In this case, it is imperative that you consult a doctor and take appropriate measures to combat it.

Causes :

Arthritis: The chief cause of lingering knee pain, arthritis itself can be of a number of types:
 Osteoarthritis, which is a result of deterioration of cartilages due to wear and tear
 Rheumatoid Arthritis, an inflammatory chronic disorder
 Septic Arthritis, causing pain, swelling and redness.
 Gout caused due to the development of uric acid crystals in the joints
Fractures: These are caused by the breaking up of the kneecap due to falls or collisions.
ACL Injuries: Caused due to the tearing of the anterior cruciate ligament (that connects the femur and the shinbone). Especially common in sportspersons such as footballers or basketball players.
Meniscus tears: The meniscus or the rubber-like cartilage (that acts as a shock absorber) can be torn by sudden jerks or excess pressure.

Symptoms:The major symptoms of knee pain include weakness, redness, instability, stiffness or the inability to properly straighten or move the leg. Often, a deformity is also visible, such as a bone sticking out of the leg - in which case it is advisable to consult a doctor immediately.

Possible risks :Factors which include the odds of being inflicted by knee pain and cause serious complications include :
Being overweight: This exponentially increases the stress or pressure that is applied on the knee joints - even in doing mundane tasks like walking up and down stairs.
Excessive physical activity: Some activities, such as sports apply excess stress on the knees as compared to other tasks.
Loss of muscle flexibility: Tightness or weakness in muscles causes increasing number of problems in the knees.

All About Knee Pain

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