Knee surgeries are becoming more and more common. In the past few decades, there have been many advances in technology, knowledge, and procedures. Knee surgery is no longer a last-ditch effort to relieve pain. More and more middle-aged patients are looking at knee surgery as a way to remain active despite osteoarthritis of the knee.
Middle-aged, active patients can pose a challenge for orthopedic doctors and surgeons. Surgery results need to last these patients for many years of hard use. The authors of this article stress that an effective knee surgery depends on good surgical technique and picking the best type of surgery for the patient. The authors highlight several factors to weigh when choosing a procedure, including:
- the underlying condition that caused the damage
- the patient's goals for life after surgery
- other problems with the joint or leg
- complications of the procedure
- how long the repair or reconstruction needs to last
- the ability to do more surgeries or a joint replacement in the future
- the skill of the surgeon in the particular technique.
The authors reviewed and summarized many studies on some types of knee surgeries for middle-aged patients with osteoarthritis. The procedures discussed are:
- arthroscopic debridement
- ligament reconstruction
- realignment osteotomy
- unicompartmental arthroplasty
- total knee arthroplasty.
Looking for information on the benefits and problems of different types of knee surgeries? If so, this news is for you.
Reference:
Arlen D. Hanssen, MD, et al. Surgical Options for the Middle-Aged Patient With Osteoarthritis of the Knee Joint. In The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. December 2000. Vol. 82-A. No. 12. Pp. 1768-1781.'
