Cutting-Edge Knee Replacement Surgery
Improve Your Independence and Mobility Today
The benefits of knee replacement surgery include pain relief, better treatment response, increased success rate, and increased mobility. This surgery provides patients with the ability to resume their daily activities while also improving their independence and mobility.
Improved Pain Relief
Knee replacement surgery effectively alleviates debilitating knee pain during everyday activities such as walking, running, standing or getting in and out of a seated position.
Better Treatment Response
Knee replacement surgery reduces the need for medication, physical therapy and additional surgeries.
Higher Success Rate
Knee replacement surgery is one of the most successful operations in orthopaedic surgery with a high satisfaction rate amongst patients of varying ages.
Improved Mobility
Knee replacement surgery improves general mobility. Once the knee joint has fully recovered, patients can enjoy the simple pleasures of everyday life.
Total Knee replacement surgery, or knee arthroplasty, is an operation designed to treat damaged knee surfaces predominantly caused by osteoarthritis. Patients requiring surgery often experience pain in the knee joint and have difficulty walking, climbing stairs or getting in and out of a seated position. The surgical procedure allows the orthopaedic surgeon to fit the knee with a new surface resulting in reduced pain, stiffness and increased mobility.
Knee replacement surgery involves the replacement of the knee joint surface with an artificial prosthesis which comprises three parts: a stainless steel component which fits over the end of the femur (thigh bone) which articulates with a plastic component placed in the upper end of the lower leg. The final component is a plastic “button” which covers the kneecap cemented to the affected bones with a surgical cement referred to as methyl methacrylate.
The lifespan of a knee prosthetic is expected to last up to 20 – 40 years if well looked after and can drastically improve a patient’s quality of life. The surgery itself requires hospital admission and takes approximately two and a half hours to complete.
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Total Knee Replacement Guide
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What to expect during recovery?
Recovery time will vary between patients, but it usually takes about 4 months to regain full strength in your knees. The speed of your recovery depends on a number of factors including your age, overall health, the strength of your knee before surgery, weight and how well you follow your rehabilitation programme.
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After surgery, you will be encouraged to start your deep breathing and calf-muscle exercises by moving your feet up and down. Elastic support stockings will be applied to both legs and should be worn for three weeks after your surgical procedure. Keeping your leg as straight as possible is critical to recovery. If swelling occurs, the foot of the bed may be raised slightly.
On the day of surgery, you will be assisted to a reclining chair where physical therapy begins. Your physio will provide basic guidelines designed to help you navigate your way through the recovery process. These include getting in and out of bed, how to walk using a walking aid, how to sit and get up from a chair, how to climb stairs and how to enter and exit a motor vehicle.
Once the drainage tubes and bandages are removed, you will be sent for X-rays and further physiotherapy. Once discharged, your wound should remain covered until the skin clips have been removed to prevent the risk of infection. Skin staples are removed approximately 3 weeks after your operation.
Our Patient’s FAQs
The most common questions about knee replacement surgery answered by Dr. Allan Van Zyl.
How long does surgery take?
Patients undergoing knee replacement surgery are admitted the day before the operation and are fully supported by an orthopaedic surgeon, anaesthetist, physiotherapist and specialist physician. Surgery can take approximately two and half hours.
Is there anything I can do prior to surgery?
There are a number of things that patients can do while they wait for their operation date. This includes losing weight which reduces the risk of complications, using prescribed pain killers to mitigate the pain, visiting the dentist and reducing the amount of nicotine intake in the event of smokers. You can also start a strengthening program with your physio or bio.
When will I be discharged?
Depending on your operation and rehabilitation, you will be discharged after approximately 1 - 2 days.
What are the long-term limitations once surgery is successful?
Where possible, avoid excessive strain on your artificial knee. Avoid climbing ladders, walking up steep inclines, climbing stairs without a handrail, jumping, running, jogging, lifting heavy objects and walking long distances on loose ground or sand. Physical activities that put strain on your knee such as squats, lunges and weightlifting are discouraged. Take up golf and bowling as a substitute for physical activity.
What are the complications of knee replacement surgery?
Although knee replacement operations are safe and reliable, problems may arise. Such complications include dislocation, infections, nerve damage and blood clots.
What kind of physiotherapy is involved during recovery?
Your surgeon, physician and physiotherapist will compile a physiotherapy programme which involves deep breathing exercises, calf muscle exercises, learning how to get in and out of bed, early mobilisation (sitting, walking and climbing stairs) as well as muscle strengthening exercises.
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Make an appointment with Dr. Allan van Zyl with our online booking platform or contact the admin team for more information about our procedures.
