At ROC we are here to help diagnose what is the best route for you to feel your best, including knee revision surgery. Total knee replacement surgery consists of the complete removal and replacement of an arthritic or damaged knee joint with a prosthetic implant to restore the joint’s pain-free movement and functionality. Several factors will influence how long the prosthesis will last, including the patient’s age, weight, activity level, and bone strength.
Occasionally, knee implants can become loose because of normal wear-and-tear over a long period of time or post-operative trauma. In either case, an additional surgery, known as knee revision surgery, may be required. Knee revision surgery is a more complex procedure than knee replacement surgery, requiring expertise in diagnostics, procedure planning, and rehabilitation.
Tests & Diagnosis for Knee Revision Surgery:
If a knee implant fails, patients will notice a decrease in joint functionality and increasing pain symptoms. In order to determine if knee revision surgery is required to relieve pain symptoms, ROC Specialists will complete several tests, including:
- A physical examination of the affected knee joint
- X-rays of the knee joint
- Blood tests
- Joint fluid tests
Based on the test results, ROC Specialists will determine all or only one component of the prosthetic implant needs to be replaced. In addition, x-ray results will assist in determining any structural changes to the joint since the original procedure.
Knee Revision Surgery:
As knee revision surgery is a more complicated procedure, it is approached on an individualized case-by-case basis. Knee revision surgery is an in-patient procedure, and will require approximately a 2- to 3-day hospital stay post-op.
During knee revision surgery, ROC Specialists will remove the damaged components of the existing implant. Whenever able, ROC Specialists will preserve as many components of the original implant, in addition to conserving as much of the natural bone, as possible.
After removing the damaged components, the ends of the bones will be resurfaced with bone grafts to prepare for the addition of the new implant. After resurfacing, ROC Specialists will secure the new prosthesis to the bone ends, matching the original implant placement as closely as possible.
To learn more about how ROC’s Orthopedic Knee Specialists can help you return to your active lifestyle, please connect with our team by clicking here.