Explore the latest in knee replacement surgery, including advanced materials and robotic techniques. Ideal for those considering knee surgery in Ireland or abroad.
Knee replacement surgery, also known as knee arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure where the knee joint is replaced with artificial parts. Performed in people with severe osteoarthritis or other degenerative joint diseases, it’s the last line of treatment.
Initially, knee surgery was a highly invasive procedure. However, as techniques and materials improved over the past few decades, it’s become commonplace, with millions of knee replacements occurring each year.
With growing demand (thanks to ageing populations), surgeons and researchers are hard at work developing new advancements for acl surgery singapore. This article covers the cutting-edge technologies and techniques transforming this procedure.
Better Implants
Knees primarily have one axis of movement: they kick. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a complicated joint. As a central point in the leg, the knee absorbs much of the shock when we run, jump, or even climb down the stairs. Anyone with knee problems knows this all too well.
Usually, a knee replacement involves either a partial (removal of the damaged part of the knee) or total (removal of both knee surfaces) replacement. In either case, the implant must be comfortable, not get stuck during movement, and absorb the same shocks and stresses as natural bone and flesh.
So, what materials are available? Currently, the options include:
- Cobalt-Chromium Alloys and Titanium Alloys are used for the femoral and tibial components. They are chosen for their exceptional strength, durability, and biocompatibility. Advanced alloys may include nickel or molybdenum for enhanced wear resistance.
- Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) is used as a spacer between the metal components. Advanced versions of UHMWPE are often highly cross-linked and may include vitamin E, enhancing wear resistance and longevity.
- UHMWPE is also used for resurfacing the back of the kneecap (patella). It is optimised for reduced wear and improved patellar tracking. The advanced design ensures smoother knee movement.
- Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) or Other Biocompatible Bone Cements secure the implant components to the bone. Advanced versions may contain antibiotics to reduce infection risks or be bioactive to promote bone integration.
- Porous Metals or Coatings for Cementless Implants, including hydroxyapatite coatings, are used in cementless implants to encourage bone growth directly into the implant. Advanced porous structures or bioactive coatings promote faster and stronger osseointegration.
The combination of these materials is also important. Metal on plastic, involving a metal femoral component on a polyethylene plastic spacer, is the most common type of implant. It has a proven track record of longevity, but tiny plastic particles can trigger an immune reaction. Nonetheless, advances in plastic reduce this rate of wear.
Metal on metal, on the other hand, is gradually being phased out in favour of ceramic on plastic or ceramic on ceramic. Metal is long-lasting but can leak into the bloodstream. Meanwhile, the latest ceramics are extremely strong and durable and do not react with the body.
Robotic-Assisted Surgery
You’re not likely to undergo robotic knee replacement surgery in the next few years. However, in the future, this is a major area of advancement.
Robotic total knee arthroplasty is already demonstrating “improved component positioning” and a “reduction of alignment outliers,” according to a 2021 review. Simply put, robots now effectively place and position the knee replacement with a high degree of accuracy.
In the UK, a world-leading study is underway examining the use of surgical robots compared to standard instruments in knee replacements. The study will provide a definitive answer on the abilities of robots.
Improved Physical Therapy
Guidelines evolve year by year. For patients and medical professionals alike, the gradual improvement in patient outcomes is taken for granted. But they’re often the most impactful in terms of reduced hospital stays, fewer complications, and improved physical ability.
Physical therapy is no exception.
One of the key advancements in physical therapy is the implementation of early mobilisation. Patients are encouraged to start moving and walking, sometimes as soon as the day of the surgery. This early activity promotes blood flow, reduces the risk of clots, and helps in quicker recovery of joint function.
Customised exercise programs are another cornerstone of modern physical therapy. Exercises are tailored to each patient’s specific needs, taking into account their overall health, fitness level, and specific goals. These exercises aim to strengthen the muscles around the knee, improve range of motion, and enhance overall stability and balance.
Reduced Complications
Some of the complications of knee replacement surgery are blood clots, fractures, infections, and damaged implants. Minimising these complications requires dedication to high standards of care and patient education.
Like with physical therapy, improvements in these areas aren’t marked by sudden advancements but incremental progress.
Reduced complications have been achieved through a combination of less invasive surgical techniques, advanced implant materials, and improved perioperative care.
Take blood clot prevention, for example. Anticoagulation medications post-surgery, early mobilisation strategies, and compression stockings have radically improved blood circulation in the lower limbs, preventing deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms.
Implant failure, meanwhile, is now a rarity thanks to highly cross-linked polyethylene, improved metal alloys, and ceramic components.
Patients are educated on all aspects of knee replacement surgery, including the signs of any problems. The sooner they see a medical professional, the greater their eventual outcome.
Choose Kardiolita Hospital for Knee Replacement Surgery Abroad
Kardiolita Hospital combines cutting-edge implants with the highest quality patient management to deliver an impressive quality of care at a fraction of the price.
Our exceptional team of surgeons and medical professionals only use the newest 4th-generation knee implants approved worldwide for their quality and durability. Employing constant vigilance and care, we also have an extremely low level of complications. Lithuania, where the hospital is based, has the 2nd lowest complication rate for orthopaedic surgeries.
With an optional customised rehabilitation program and all modern amnesties, we’re the gold standard of knee replacement surgery abroad.