Do They Remove the Patella During a Knee Replacement?
Do They Remove the Patella During a Knee Replacement? When you face knee troubles surgery might be needed. The big question is what happens during this time in the operating room. Many people wonder if doctors take out the patella with this kind of surgery. It’s not just simple curiosity; knowing can help ease your mind.
The patella has a key role in how our knees bend and straighten. In some cases it stays put when doctors work on your knee but sometimes they do remove it or change it. This depends on things like its shape and how bad your knee was before.
If you’re going to get knee surgery talk to your doctor about all parts of the process. They will tell you what needs to happen for your own good health after checking out your case closely. Talking with them gives clear facts that are easy to understand and follow up on later.
What is a Knee Replacement Surgery?
Knee replacement surgery is a procedure to fix pain in the knee. Over time your knee can get damage from use or illness. The goal of this work is to make your life better by easing pain and making movement easier. In this surgery doctors replace bad parts with new ones that work well.
The steps during the operation are clear and planned out. First you will sleep so you feel no pain while they work on your knee. They take out broken bone and cartilage from where thigh meets shin. Then comes the part where they may or may not remove the patella based on what’s best for you.
The new parts used in knee replacement are strong and made to fit just right inside your leg. These pieces include metal bits and very smooth plastic that acts like real cartilage does when it’s healthy. This lets your knee move smooth again without hurt.
After surgery there’s a big chance for more active days ahead without pain holding back each step you take. People often find their quality of life gets much better after having this key medical help done by experts who know how to care for knees well.
The Role of the Patella in the Knee
The patella, often called the kneecap, sits at the front of your knee. It’s small but has a big job in how your leg works. This bone covers and protects where muscles come together by the joint. When you bend or straighten your leg it glides over other bones.
This bone is key to giving power when your leg moves. It acts like a shield for parts under it during things like walking or jumping. With every step it helps spread weight evenly so one spot doesn’t get too much stress. That way you can move without hurting yourself.
During knee replacement surgery saving this part can be good for keeping natural movement if possible. But if damaged a lot from wear or disease surgeons may decide to remove or reshape it as needed for best results after surgery. They look at each case and make choices that are right for that person.
How important the patella is helps see why doctors take care with it in surgery decisions. Knowing its role also shows why taking care of knees through life matters so much to stay mobile and pain-free as long as we can.
Benefits of Preserving the Patella
Keeping your own patella during knee surgery can be a good thing. When it stays you might keep more natural feel in the joint after. Your body knows its own parts best so working with what’s already there is often easier than using something new. Plus recovery can be smoother when the original kneecap remains.
Preservation means less change to your body’s way of moving. The muscles and tendons around your knee know how to work with your own patella. This makes for better strength and control once you heal up from surgery. It helps make sure that things like walking or going up stairs stay as they were before.
Saving your kneecap could mean a shorter time in the hospital and less care afterwards too. Fewer changes inside mean fewer chances for big problems right after surgery. Doctors will talk to you about all this as part of getting ready for the operation so that you have clear info on what’s best for you.
Consult Your Insurance Company for Coverage Details
Before you plan your knee replacement surgery it’s smart to talk with your insurance company. They can tell you what parts of the surgery they will pay for. This might include whether they cover if the patella is removed or not.
Each insurance plan has its own rules about what surgeries are covered. It’s often based on what they see as needed medically. You’ll need to know this before making choices about your care.
Your doctor and hospital will have costs that may vary a lot. The total cost can change depending on things like staying in the hospital longer than planned. Checking with your insurance means fewer surprises when bills come later.
Sometimes certain steps in getting ready for surgery aren’t covered by insurance either. These could be tests or visits to doctors apart from the main procedure itself. Knowing this helps you plan better financially.
After surgery, things like physical therapy or medicine might also have coverage limits by your plan details too. Speaking directly with someone at your insurance helps clear up any questions so you’re well-informed before deciding anything big about health matters like these.
Do They Remove the Patella During a Knee Replacement?: Frequently Asked Questions
Is it common to remove the patella in knee replacement surgeries?
It is not always common. The choice to remove depends on the state of your patella and overall knee health.
What does the surgeon consider before deciding to remove the patella?
Surgeons look at how much damage there is, what shape your bone is in, and how well it can move with a new joint part.
If my patella is removed what happens next during surgery?
If removed they might replace it with an artificial piece that mimics its function or adjust other parts for smooth movement without it.
These answers are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice.
