Arthritis is a condition described as the development of irregular inflammations in the human body's joints. The elbows, hips, fingers and knees are the common targets of this disease.

Kinds of Arthritis

Arthritis comes in different forms. Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common kind of arthritis, is set off primarily by the aging process, but can also appear due to specific infections, malformations, or lesions, of the knee. The other less common but similarly devastating forms of arthritis are as follows: psoriatic arthritis, gouty arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Arthritis Treatment

Various types of treatment are available for arthritis symptom management. These can range from physical therapy, medications, to surgical procedures.

The latter, known as arthritis knee surgery, has various more specialized types - such as, arthroscopy, knee osteotomy, and knee replacement surgery. The actual type of arthritis surgery is based on several factors, including the severity and degree of the condition.

What is Knee Arthritis Surgery?

Depending on the degree of the disease, the best course for therapy is commonly arthritis knee surgery.

The condition usually forms in steps, increasingly degrading the cartilage present in the joints. At the onset, anti-inflammatory therapy and physical therapy are the chief course of treatment. But, as the condition degrades, arthritis knee surgery becomes a vital and pressing need.

What is Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy is considered as a less invasive surgery in arthritis treatment. The procedure consists of fixing cartilage tissue and ligament damage in the knee and the other joints. In an arthroscopy surgery, a small device resembling an endoscope will be inserted in the afflicted region via a small incision.

Although the efficacy of this type of surgery remains a debatable issue, many users confirm the benefits efficiency of the procedure when done in suitable conditions.

Telltale signs that an individual needs arthroscopy of the knee include the following: excruciating knee pops, instability of the knee joint or wobbling of the knee, a prickling pain when moving the knee joint, and inflammation or swelling of the afflicted areas.

Better Option for Younger Patients: Knee Osteotomy

In the case of younger individuals, these arthritis sufferers only commonly experience degradation of just one area of the knee joint. For this reason, they are not encouraged to undergo complete knee replacement surgery.

In some cases, arthritis also manifests as knock-legged or bow-legged cases, which are characterized by a joint reorientation, such that the weight center is transferred from its damaged region to its healthy region. In such instances, osteotomy is usually the best option.

Partial Knee Replacement Surgery: The Hybrid

Considered a "hybrid" of both knee osteotomy and complete knee replacement surgery, partial knee replacement surgery is to a large extent less invasive than complete knee replacement surgery. This surgical procedure is performed through the replacement of the degraded region of the affected articulation with prosthetics, while the healthy areas are left alone to allow for healing. This surgery is encouraged for severe cases of arthritis restricted to specific areas of articulation. Compared to complete knee replacement surgery, this surgical procedure necessitates more tiny cuts and allows for a faster period of recovery.

Knee Replacement Surgery

For a number of arthritic cases, the best choice is complete knee replacement surgery. This procedure requires completely removing and replacing the injured joint tissue with plastic or metal prosthetic components.

Associated Risks: Arthritis Knee Surgery

Akin to the majority of major surgeries, patients who have undergone arthritis knee surgery are susceptible to infections, nerve damage, thrombosis and certain anesthesia risks.

Furthermore, this type of surgery includes specific post-operative risks, including joint instability, fracture/dislocation of the kneecap, along with diminished mobility or reduced range of motion.

Arthritis Knee Surgery: Advantages and Disadvantages

Regardless of the potential risks associated to the surgery, arthritis knee surgery offers a lot of pros that may benefit arthritis sufferers. The primary advantages are, to name a few, significant pain relief, increased mobility, plus a significant betterment of the patient's overall wellbeing. Additionally, in a period of six months after the surgery, the formerly affected joint can most likely recover fully.

On the other hand, this type of surgical procedure also includes a few noticeable drawbacks. For example, post-surgery patients may feel some pain and discomfort in the time after the procedure. Additionally, using a prosthetic joint can be noisy and may draw some attention. Sometimes, difficulties in movement may possibly develop. Plus, depending on the kind of prosthetics used, the prosthetic knee can have restricted usability, such as only ten to fifteen years before it needs to be replaced again.

Overall, however, if you weigh the discomfort that are observed in some cases against the significant potential for successful results, it is easy to figure out that the pros of this type of surgery definitely outweigh its cons.