Is the Knee Cap Replaced in a Total Knee Replacement?
Is the Knee Cap Replaced in a Total Knee Replacement? When you think about knee replacement you might wonder about the parts of your knee. The knee cap, or patella, is one part that comes to mind. Many people assume it gets replaced during surgery. But does it really? This question is more common than you might think.
Total knee replacement sounds like everything in the joint gets swapped out. It’s not always so clear-cut though. Doctors look at each case and decide what needs replacing. Sometimes they keep your natural knee cap if it’s healthy enough.
Some patients feel unsure when facing surgery talk with their doctors for clarity. They ask questions and learn about their own situation before making choices. Knowing what happens helps make sense of this important health step on our journey through life.
What is a Total Knee Replacement?
Total knee replacement is an orthopedic surgery where your damaged knee joint gets replaced. Surgeons use metal and plastic parts to make your new joint work like the old one. This kind of surgery helps when you have bad pain or a stiff knee. The goal is to let you move better and feel less pain in your day-to-day life.
The process starts with taking out the worn-out parts of your knee bones. These are at the ends where they rub together inside the joint. Then doctors fit in the new parts that act like healthy bone and cartilage. They’re made to last many years and stand up to lots of use.
In this surgery attention on the knee cap is also key as it protects your knee joint. Not every total knee replacement will include changing this part though. If only some areas are worn out just those get fixed while other good parts stay put.
After replacing what’s needed doctors close up with stitches or staples for healing time begins then comes rest and rehab which helps get back strength in your leg after such a big change has been made inside it.
The Role of the Knee Cap
Your knee cap, or patella, has a big job in how your leg works. It sits right over the knee joint and slides when you bend or straighten your leg. This bone acts like a shield for your knee joint below it. It also helps the muscles around your knee to move more freely.
When doctors plan for total knee replacement they look at the knee cap too. If it’s healthy they often leave it as is during surgery because it can still do its work well. When pain comes from other parts of the joint just those get replaced. Your own patella then works with new parts to help you walk and run again.
In orthopedic surgery terms keeping or replacing this bone depends on many things. Surgeons think about what will give you the best outcome after surgery with less pain and good movement in your life ahead which matters most so if you’re facing this choice talk through all options carefully before deciding together what’s right for you!
Recovery After Total Knee Replacement
Recovery from total knee replacement starts right after you leave the operating room. You’ll spend some time in recovery where nurses will watch how you wake up from surgery. They make sure your pain is under control and that you’re safe to move to a hospital room. The first few days are key for starting to get your leg moving again.
Once you’re ready a physical therapist will work with you on getting up and walking. This might happen even on the day of your surgery! Step by step they show ways to help your new knee joint start working well for you. Your stay at the hospital could be short if all goes well; then home or more rehab comes next.
At home it’s important to keep up with exercises the therapist taught you. Each day should bring more movement and less pain as long as follow their advice closely because it helps so much in healing fast! Within weeks or months many people find they can do most things they did before having trouble with their knees which feels great after going through such a big change for better health ahead.
Consult Your Insurance Company
Before you plan your total knee replacement it’s a good move to talk with your insurance company. They can tell you what parts of the surgery they will pay for. This might include the hospital stay, the surgeon’s fee, and even rehab after surgery. It’s key to know this ahead of time so there are no surprises later.
Ask about details like needing special things at home during recovery. These could be items that help you move around or keep safe while your knee heals. Every insurance plan is different when it comes to what they cover and how much you might need to pay.
If some things aren’t covered by your insurance don’t worry right away. There may be options or programs that can help with costs not paid for by insurance companies look into all choices before making any decisions on care plans because knowing facts helps in long-term health planning which matters most!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the knee cap always replaced during a total knee replacement?
No it's not always replaced. The decision to replace the knee cap depends on its condition.
What factors determine whether the knee cap needs to be replaced?
Surgeons look at how damaged it is and if it causes pain or affects movement.
How do surgeons decide to keep or replace my knee cap in surgery?
They assess your overall knee health including cartilage wear and alignment issues. Please note that these answers are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice.
