Is the Kneecap Replaced in Total Knee Replacement?

Is the Kneecap Replaced in Total Knee Replacement? Total knee replacement is a common surgery to fix knee pain. It helps many people each year and makes daily life better. In this surgery, doctors work on the knee joint, but do they replace the kneecap? This question comes up often for those going through or thinking about the operation.

The surgery does not always involve taking out your kneecap. This depends on many things like how bad your joint is. Sometimes only parts of the knee need fixing. When we talk about total knee replacement it’s good to know all parts of the process.

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If you’re looking into getting your knee done you might wonder what happens during surgery. The truth is simple – it varies from person to person. Your doctor will tell you if your case needs a new kneecap or not. It’s important to ask them questions so that you understand what will happen with yours.

Understanding Total Knee Replacement

Total knee replacement is a type of orthopedic surgery. It helps people who have bad knee pain. The goal is to make the knee work well again and stop the pain. Doctors take out damaged parts of the knee joint. Then they put in new parts made from safe materials.

The new parts in your knee will act like your own healthy knee did before it was hurt. This means you can walk and move with less pain or no pain at all after you heal up from surgery. A lot of planning goes into making sure that these new pieces fit just right for each person’s body.

Sometimes, but not always, this includes replacing the kneecap during surgery. Your doctor looks at how your whole knee works together when deciding this part of your treatment plan. They think about what’s best for long-term results.

After total knee replacement most people are very happy with how their knees work now. They can do more things without hurting and enjoy life much more than before their operation! It’s good news that this kind of help exists for those who need it.

The Role of the Kneecap

The kneecap, or patella, is a small bone that covers your knee joint. It plays a big part in how you move each day. When you bend or straighten your leg the kneecap moves too. It slides over the knee joint and helps protect it from damage. This little bone also makes sure your leg muscles work right.

In total knee replacement surgery doctors think hard about what to do with the kneecap. They know it’s key for walking and other moves we make without thinking much about them. If they can keep your own kneecap when they put in new parts they often will do so. This is because keeping it can help you get back to normal life after surgery.

But sometimes the doctor may choose to replace the kneecap during orthopedic surgery if needed. They look at things like how worn out or hurt your own one is before making this choice. A new kneecap has to work well with other new parts of your knee joint.

Having a good working kneecap matters for strong legs and smooth moves after surgery. Whether yours stays or gets replaced by something else depends on what will help most given how bad off it was before operation took place; all with an eye towards better mobility long-term!

Kneecap Preservation

When doctors do a total knee replacement they try to save your kneecap if they can. This is called kneecap preservation. It means that instead of putting in a new one they keep the one you were born with. Keeping your natural kneecap helps your knee feel more like it did before surgery.

There are special ways to fix the joint without touching the kneecap. Surgeons only replace parts of the knee joint that are too hurt or worn out to work right anymore. They use tools and methods that avoid harming the healthy parts including your own kneecap.

If your own kneecap can stay it often leads to better results after surgery. People tend to heal faster and have less pain when their original kneecap is saved during operation. Doctors always aim for what gives you back as much normal movement and strength as possible after this kind of orthopedic surgery.

Consulting Your Insurance Company

Before getting a total knee replacement it’s wise to talk with your insurance company. They can tell you what the surgery will cost and how much they will pay for it. This is important because medical bills can be high and you need to plan for them.

Each insurance company has rules about what they cover. These are called coverage criteria. They decide if they will pay for the whole surgery or just parts of it. Sometimes these rules also say which doctors or hospitals you can use.

Your insurance may have special steps you need to follow before surgery. For example they might want proof that other treatments didn’t work for your knee pain first. Or maybe they require a second opinion from another doctor before saying yes to paying.

It’s good to ask questions so that there are no surprises later on about money matters related to your care. Make sure you understand things like co-pays and deductibles too; this helps avoid unexpected costs after your treatment is done.

By knowing all this information ahead of time you’re better prepared when making decisions about your health care needs—like whether or not now is right time for total knee replacement surgery given personal situation at hand!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I walk normally after a total knee replacement?

A: Yes most people can walk normally after they heal from the surgery. It might take some time and physical therapy to get there.

Q: How long does it take to recover from knee replacement surgery?

A: Recovery times can vary but many people start feeling better in about 3-6 weeks. Full recovery may take several months.

Q: Will I have a lot of pain after the operation?

A: You will likely have some pain after surgery but your doctor will give you medicine to help control it as you heal.

Please note that these answers are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice.