Taking a Closer Look at a Knee Replacement
In this article, we want to talk about knee replacements — how people get to this point and what the surgical procedure entails.
What leads people to getting knee replacements?
In many cases, car accidents are significant contributors. Injuries sustained in a major car accident often cause significant damages to the gliding surfaces of the knee. In some cases, people who are a bit older already have some degenerative changes going on with their knees prior to an accident (wearing and tearing of the knee itself and the surface of the joints). A car accident can cause an activation or aggravation of that condition. This means it can activate the symptoms after having no symptoms at all. Or, if you were having some symptomology, the accident could make it much worse.
Unfortunately, in many of these cases, surgery is the only option to address these symptoms.
Let’s talk about the make-up of the knee
The knee is made up of ligaments, a structure that provides cushion for the knee, and gliding surfaces (like a Teflon material that provides a smooth glide when you move your knee). As we mentioned earlier, for those who are older with surfaces that are worn out and thin, you are more prone to getting injured if you end up in a major car accident.
“Bone on Bone” will lead you to surgery
Regardless of the cause, a doctor may decide that your knee is so irreparably harmed that a full knee replacement is needed. Most of the time, the decision is made when there is “bone on bone” occurring within the knee.
Let’s take a look at how “bone on bone” occurs. Again, we want to focus back in on the gliding surfaces. When you have “bone on bone,” the gliding materials have worn thin. When this occurs, the underlying bone becomes the gliding surface. This causes bone to grind against bone. As you can imagine, this can cause immense pain.
Along with the gliding surfaces, the cushion material desiccates as we age. This in itself makes for less cushion within in your knee. The ends of the joints from the thigh bone and the lower leg bones get closer and closer together. This too can bring “bone on bone.” There can also be changes along the bony edge of the knee — they can get bumpy. These are called osteophytes (or bones spurs). These bone spurs are another contributing factor to the reduction in cushion that leads to “bone on bone.”
Understanding the knee replacement procedure
Knee replacement is often the only way to remove pain in many of these situations. Let’s walk through the steps of a full knee replacement to give you a better understanding of what takes place during this procedure.
First, the doctor will remove the knee cap. Then, he or she will start shaving off portions of the joint, including the back gliding surface of the joint. Next, the doctor will create a channel in the thigh bone and remove the entire top of the lower leg bone. Then, the doctor will drill holes for attachment points for the hardware that needs to be inserted. It will be a large hole in the bottom part of the lower leg bone and a small hole at the top part of the thigh bone.
The doctor will insert pins into these holes that were put into the joints. These pins will create a top and bottom portion of the joint. Next, he or shoe will add a cushion material (usually a rubber or silicon substance). Finally, the doctor will remove the bottom portion of the knee cap and replace it with a new gliding surface before putting the knee cap back into place.
The metal that the doctor puts into your knee is rough. Of course, there is a reason for this. When the doctors cuts that bone, this creates a natural healing process for the body. The bone heals into the rough portion of the metal.
After the surgery
Once you have healed from the surgery, you will be able to flex and extend your knee with no more bone on bone rubbing. Most people have a complete resolution of their symptoms.
If you are in need of knee replacement, or if you suffered another type of injury due to a fall or an accident, contact us today at Dwyer Williams Cherkoss Accident Injury Attorneys for a free case evaluation. You can also reach us directly at: 1-800-285-8678. Our team of experienced personal injury attorneys will work hard to ensure that you receive the justice that you deserve!