Knee Replacement Surgery In Turkey
Knee Replacement Surgery in Turkey is an article that aims to give you all the information you do not know about Knee Replacement Surgery in Turkey and more. We kindly shared the main headings with you;
What is knee replacement surgery?
Parts of damaged or worn-out knee joints are replaced during knee replacement surgery. The procedure may improve the knee’s functionality and reduce pain. Damaged bone and cartilage are replaced during surgery with plastic and metal components.
Who are the ideal patients?
A surgeon will evaluate your knee’s strength, stability, and range of motion to determine whether or not you should have a knee replacement. X-rays can assist determine the degree of damage. Your age, weight, degree of exercise, the size and form of your knees, and general health will determine the best replacement joints and surgical procedures for you. If you have serious knee injuries or arthritis, this surgery might be an option for you. Those who require knee replacement surgery frequently struggle to stand up from a chair, walk up steps, and climb stairs.Invest in your health, invest in a brighter future. Our comprehensive medical programs deliver real results, while you indulge in the beauty and serenity of our destination.
What is knee arthritis?
Knee arthritis is the inflammation and degradation of the cartilage of the knee joint. Cartilage is a specific kind of tissue encircles a bone’s surface at a joint. The friction of movement within a joint is lessened by cartilage. The flexible coating on the bone ends known as cartilage acts as a cushion and facilitates the knee’s easy bending and straightening. Knee cartilage covers the rear of the kneecap (patella), the top of the shinbone (tibia), and the end of the thighbone (femur). The space between the bones narrows as the cartilage wears away. As arthritis progresses, the bone may rub against bone and develop bone spurs (bumps on the bone). Knee deformities such as knocked knees and bowlegs may develop or worsen due to damage to the joint cartilage over time.
The relationship between arthritis and knee replacement surgery
Several types of arthritis may impact the knee joint. Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint condition primarily affecting middle-aged and older adults, can result in the destruction of joint cartilage and neighboring bone in the knees. Rheumatoid arthritis can result in discomfort and stiffness because it inflames the synovial membrane and produces an excessive amount of synovial fluid. Synovial membrane is a tissue that surrounds and seals the joint to form a joint capsule. To lubricate the joint, the synovial membrane secretes synovial fluid, a transparent, gooey fluid. Traumatic arthritis, or arthritis brought on by an injury, can harm knee cartilage. In addition, the knee joint may suffer irreparable harm from fractures, cartilage tears, and/or torn ligaments.
What is the purpose of the surgery?
Resurfacing the damaged knee joint’s surfaces and relieving pain that is resistant to other therapies are the two main objectives of knee replacement surgery. The most frequent reason for knee replacement surgery is to relieve arthritis discomfort and osteoarthritis, which is one of the types of arthritis, is the most frequent ailment that necessitates knee replacement surgery. Joint cartilage degeneration is a characteristic of osteoarthritis. Movement is restricted and may be painful due to damage to the bones and cartilage. People who have the severe degenerative joint disease may find it painful to perform daily activities like walking or climbing stairs, which require bending at the knee. As a result of the unstable joint, the knee may bulge or “give-way.”
How to prepare for surgery?
- Your doctor will walk you through the process and give you the chance to ask any questions you may have about it.
- A consent form that grants the doctor permission to perform the procedure will be given to you to sign. If something on the form is unclear, thoroughly read it and then ask questions.
- Before the surgery, your doctor will do a thorough physical examination in addition to taking a thorough medical history to make sure you are healthy enough. Other diagnostic tests, such as blood tests, may be performed on you.
- If you have a sensitivity to any drugs or if you have an allergy to latex, tape, or anesthetics, let your doctor know (local and general).
- All prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal supplements that you are taking should be reported to your doctor.
- Inform your doctor if you have a history of bleeding disorders, are currently using any anticoagulant (blood-thinning) drugs, aspirin, or other drugs that have clotting-related side effects. You might need to stop using these medications before the surgery.
- You should let your doctor know if you are pregnant or suspect that you are.
- Prior to the treatment, which usually takes place after midnight, you will be required to fast for eight hours.
- Before the procedure, you can get a sedative to make you more comfortable.
- You can discuss rehabilitation with a physical therapist prior to surgery.
- You could require crutches or a walker for a few weeks following the procedure, so make arrangements for them before the procedure.
- Your doctor can ask you to do something else unique to prepare depending on your health.
What is the procedure?
An average knee replacement procedure lasts one to two hours. Surgeons can frequently replace just the injured portion of the knee if it only has one damaged area. The thighbone and shinbone ends are reshaped, and the entire joint is resurfaced, if the entire joint needs to be replaced. These bones are made up of rigid tubes with soft centers. The prosthetic components’ ends are put into the softer middle region of the bones. Ligaments are tissue bands that support the stability of joints. The surgeon may decide on implants that can be attached so they can’t break apart if the ligaments in the knee aren’t strong enough to keep the joint together on their own.
Having a knee replacement demands a hospital stay. Procedures could change based on your health and your doctor’s methods. Knee replacement surgery is generally conducted while you are unconscious under a general anesthetic. Your heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, and blood oxygen level will all be continuously monitored by the anesthesiologist throughout the procedure. Beforehand, your anesthesiologist will go through this with you. In general, knee replacement surgery proceeds as follows,
- After being instructed to take off your clothes, you’ll be handed a gown.
- Your arm or hand may be used to start an intravenous (IV) line.
- One option is to place a urinary catheter.
- It may be trimmed off if there is too much hair growing in that area after surgery.
- An antibacterial solution will be used to clean the skin around the surgery site.
- A knee incision will be made by the surgeon.
- The doctor will remove the damaged knee joint surfaces, and the prosthesis will replace those surfaces. Metal and plastic make up the knee prosthetic. The most popular kind of prosthetic knee prosthesis is one that is cemented. Uncemented prostheses are no longer often used. Through the use of surgical cement, a prosthesis is glued to the bone. A porous layer on an uncemented prosthesis allows the bone to develop to affix to the prosthesis.
- Stitches or surgical staples will be used to close the incision.
- To remove fluid, an incision site drain may be inserted.
- The area will be covered with a sterile bandage or dressing.
What are the specific types of knee replacement surgery?
There are two main types of knee replacement surgery. Discuss with your surgeon the type of surgery they plan to perform on you and why they believe it to be the best option. The types of surgery is as follows,
Total Knee Replacement
- To access your kneecap, your surgeon creates a cut down the front of your knee. Then, it is shifted to the side so the surgeon can access the knee joint located there.
- Your thigh bone and shin bone’s damaged ends are removed. The ends are properly sized and molded to match the prosthetic replacement. In order to determine whether the joint is functioning properly, a dummy joint is placed. Before the final prosthesis is put in place, adjustments are done and the ends of the bone are cleansed. A curving metal piece replaces the end of your thigh bone, and a flat metal plate replaces the end of your shin bone. These are either treated to help your bone to merge with the new portions, or they are fixed using a specific bone “cement.” The metal components are separated by a plastic spacer. As your joint moves, this works like cartilage and reduces friction.
- Depending on the need for repair, the back of the kneecap may also be replaced.
- A dressing is placed on the wound after the incision has been stitched or clipped shut. Although a splint may occasionally be needed to keep your leg immobile, you will typically be urged to move your knee as soon as possible.
Partial (Half) Knee Replacement
You might be able to get a partial knee replacement if the damage is limited to one side of your knee. A smaller cut and fewer bones are removed with this less complicated procedure. About 1 in 4 people with osteoarthritis can use it. A shorter hospital stay and recovery time are benefits of partial knee replacement. Also infrequently required are blood transfusions. In comparison to a total knee replacement, this form of joint replacement frequently results in the knee moving more naturally, and you may be able to be more active.
What are the risks of the knee replacement surgery?
Like any procedure, knee replacement surgery has dangers. Talk to your doctor in advance of the surgery about any worries you may have. The dangers include,
- Clots of blood. To reduce this risk, surgeons frequently advise taking blood-thinning drugs. Legs are the most typical site for blood clots. They can, however, go to the lungs where they might be fatal.
- Nerve damage. The location where the implant is inserted may suffer from nerve damage. Numbness, weakness, and discomfort can result from nerve injury.
- Infection. Either the incision site or deeper tissue may get infected. For some infections, surgery is required.
- Prosthetic loosening or deterioration. Although knee replacement implants are strong, they may deteriorate over time. If this occurs, a second operation may be required to repair the damaged or loosened components.
Apart from this bleeding, consistent pain and fractures can also be the result of the surgery. Beware that the artificial knee joint replacement could break, move, or stop functioning as it should. In the future, the joint might need to be changed once more. Weakness or numbness could be caused by damaged blood vessels or nerves in the surgical area. Surgery might not be able to relieve the joint pain. Depending on your unique medical situation, there can be additional dangers.
What to expect after the operation?
Following knee replacement surgery, there is an increased risk of blood clots. The things you should consider to prevent this complication are as follows,
- Soon after surgery, you’ll be urged to sit up and use crutches or a walker to walk.
- Put pressure on. You could use inflatable air sleeves or elastic compression stockings on your lower legs during and after surgery. Your legs are compressed and released by the air sleeves. That lessens the possibility of clot formation by preventing blood from collecting in the leg veins.
- Use blood thinners. After surgery, your surgeon might advise taking oral or injectable blood thinner. You may require blood thinners for several weeks following surgery, depending on how quickly you walk, how active you are, and your overall risk of blood clots.
- Additionally, you’ll probably be instructed to perform frequent breathing exercises and gradually increase your level of activity. You can learn how to stretch out your new knee from a physical therapist. You’ll probably continue physical therapy at home or at a facility after you leave the hospital.
- You could be instructed to elevate your leg or apply ice to your knee to assist minimize swelling.
- As advised by your doctor, take a pain medication when you are sore. Aspirin and several other pain relievers may raise the risk of bleeding. Make sure to only take prescribed drugs.
- During a follow-up appointment visit, the stitches or surgical staples will be removed.
- Unless your doctor instructs otherwise, you may resume your normal diet.
- Drive only after being permitted by your doctor. There can be further activity limitations. It can take several months for the procedure to fully heal.
How recovery period proceeds at home?
You will spend some time in a recovery area following surgery. Your particular demands will determine how long you need to recover in the hospital. Within the same day, many patients can return home. Make sure you have transportation home from the hospital and offer assistance with daily duties like cooking, taking a bath, and doing laundry.
Following knee replacement surgery, it’s critical to avoid falls because they could harm your newly repaired knee. To avoid any possible falls you can modify your home environment accordingly. You can consider doing the following to make your home safer and simpler to manage while you’re recovering:
- Because ascending stairs can be challenging, design a living area that is all on one level. Install strong handrails or safety bars in your shower or bathtub.
- Install secure handrails for stairs.
- Obtain a stable chair with a solid seat and back, as well as a footstool to raise your leg.
- If you have a low toilet, make arrangements for a toilet seat riser with arms.
Once you get home, it’s crucial to keep the surgery site dry and clean. For this reason, you’ll receive particular bathing instructions from your doctor.
Report any of the following to your doctor if you experience during your stay at home,
- Fever
- Bruising, bleeding, or other discharge at the site of the incision
- Increased discomfort near the incision site
What are the short-term and long-term results of the surgery?
After six weeks of recovery from surgery, you should be able to cease using crutches or a walking frame and resume your regular leisure activities. The reduction of pain and swelling, however, could take up to three months. Any leg swelling may go away after up to a year. For up to two years following surgery, your replacement knee will continue to heal. Scar tissue will start to fade during this period, and exercise can help muscles recover. Avoid extreme sports or motions that put you at risk of falling, such as mountain biking or skiing, even after you’ve recovered. You can get guidance from your doctor or a physiotherapist.
Knee replacement gives pain relief, greater mobility, and a higher quality of life for the vast majority of people. The majority of knee replacements should last at least 15 to 20 years. You can engage in a variety of low-impact activities after you’ve recovered, such as riding, walking, swimming, golfing, or tennis. However, you should stay away from sports that entail contact or jumping as well as high-impact exercises like jogging. Discuss how to continue being active after a knee replacement with your medical team.
What are the alternatives for knee replacement surgery?
Knee replacement surgery may be a successful treatment if other medical options are ineffective. The followings are some medical treatments for degenerative joint disease,
- Medicines that reduce inflammation
- Chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine
- Painkillers
- Restricting painful activities
- Assistive walking equipment (such as a cane)
- Physical exercise
- Knee joint injections with cortisone injections for viscosupplementation (to add lubrication into the joint to make joint movement less painful)
- Loss of weight (for obese people)
What is the cost of knee replacement surgery in Turkey?
You may ask yourself “What is the cost of knee replacement surgery in Turkey?”. The cost of knee replacement surgery in Turkey is around $25,000 and $50,000.
Knee Replacement Surgery in Turkey Summary (Price, Duration Time, Hospitalization)
Operation Number | Depends on the effectiveness of the initial operation | Time to return to work | 6 weeks |
Operation Time | 1-2 hours | Recovery | 2 years |
Anaesthesia | General Anaesthesia | Persistence of Results | The life of implants is between 15-20 years |
Sensitivity Time | 6 weeks | Hospital Stay | 1-2 days |
Price | From 25,000 EUR to 50,000 EUR |