When to have knee replacement and possible risks

(Dan Tri) - Mrs. HTH has suffered from knee osteoarthritis for many years, recently the pain has been severe, making it difficult to walk. The doctor advised her to have a joint replacement, but she is still hesitant, because she heard that surgery can have many potential risks.

Sending a question to the Neurosurgery - Spine section, Mrs. HTH's family asked the doctor to advise on a suitable solution to improve her health.

According to Dr. Vi Van Duong - Department of Orthopedics, Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital, in this case, if a specialist has prescribed knee replacement, the family can rest assured. Statistics at many large centers, including Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital, show that 90-95% of patients after knee replacement have good mobility results, with few serious complications. This proves that knee replacement is currently a safe method, helping patients regain mobility and improve quality of life.

When is knee replacement needed?

Dr. Vi Van Duong said that artificial knee replacement is a surgical method to remove the damaged joint and replace it with an artificial joint made of high-grade alloy or plastic. During the surgery, the doctor will remove the degenerated bone at the lower end of the femur, tibia, and sometimes the patella to replace it with a suitable artificial joint. Usually, the surgery lasts about 1-2 hours and is performed under general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia.

Knee replacement helps patients get rid of prolonged pain (Photo: BVCC).

Dr. Duong said that surgery is only considered when conservative measures such as medication, joint injections or physical therapy are no longer effective, the patient is in a lot of pain and daily activities are seriously affected.

Typical cases that cause severe joint damage include:

Severe knee osteoarthritis (grade 3-4): Narrow joint space, deformed limb axis (bow legs, X-shaped legs) and large bone spurs.

Chronic rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune arthritis: Severe joint destruction, prolonged joint pain and stiffness.

Knee injuries: Fractures, torn meniscus, torn ligaments or previous unsuccessful surgery can leave serious consequences for the patient.

Subchondral osteonecrosis of the femoral condyle and tibial plateau.

At this stage, the patient not only has to endure the dull pain but also faces the risk of limping, insomnia and reduced quality of life. When the joint is severely damaged, conservative treatments are almost no longer effective.

At this time, knee replacement surgery becomes the optimal choice to end the pain, restore almost natural mobility - from walking, climbing stairs to daily activities. Thanks to the small incision, minimal invasion and little blood loss, patients recover quickly, most can practice walking with crutches after 2 days and move almost normally after 2-3 months.

Patients are monitored after surgery (Photo: BVCC).

Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital has recorded many successful cases, including the story of Ms. D.TT (69 years old, Lam Dong ).

For more than 10 years, she suffered from severe pain due to knee osteoarthritis and was dependent on a wheelchair because of severe joint deformities. Instead of following treatment, she took painkillers containing corticosteroids on her own, leading to a series of dangerous complications such as osteoporosis, adrenal insufficiency, high blood pressure and loss of blood sugar control.

When she arrived at the hospital, she was diagnosed with bilateral grade 4 knee osteoarthritis with many complex underlying diseases. After consultation, the doctors decided to perform joint replacement in stages, combined with rehabilitation. Just a few months later, she was able to stand up, walk and live independently - something she had previously thought she would never be able to do.

Potential risks of knee replacement surgery

In the short term, the patient may experience blood loss, surgical site infection, deep vein thrombosis, or prolonged pain.

In the long term, some other complications can also occur such as: The artificial joint is worn or loose, which may require replacement surgery; bone loss around the artificial joint; fracture around the joint (often occurs when falling); misalignment or joint deformity due to incorrect initial fixation, or the bone gradually weakens over time.

However, with the development of modern techniques and strict control procedures, the complication rate is now very low and most surgeries are safe.

A comprehensive examination is a mandatory step to ensure a safe surgery (Photo: BVCC).

Dr. Vi Van Duong emphasized: “Risks can be limited if the patient is thoroughly examined, well prepared before surgery and complies with post-operative rehabilitation. More importantly, choosing a reputable hospital with a team of experienced doctors and modern equipment will help increase the success rate and bring peace of mind to the family.”

Department of Orthopedics - Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital gathers a team of experienced doctors, equipped with modern machinery systems such as MRI, new generation multi-slice CT, microsurgery glasses, advanced arthroscopy system and modern C-arm.

Thanks to that, surgeries from routine to complex, including knee replacement, hip replacement or arthroscopy, are all performed safely and effectively. This is a prestigious address in musculoskeletal treatment, helping thousands of patients each year to recover mobility and improve their quality of life.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/thoi-diem-can-thay-khop-goi-va-nhung-rui-ro-co-the-gap-20251010081010346.htm