Not all who have knee problems need to undergo knee replacement. Most of the time, only patients with severe destruction of the knee joint or osteoarthritis end up having their knee replaced. The procedure is medically known as Total Knee Replacement surgery. In this procedure, the defective knee will be replaced with an artificial one. The diseased or injured joint will be replaced with plastic and metal parts which function normally and last long enough for the patient to enjoy doing normal activities again.
Total Knee Replacement is a popular procedure not only for osteoarthritis patients, but also to those who have devastatingly injured their knee. Despite the success and innovativeness of this procedure, some people are still wary of its effects. Some patients are still concerned about the pros and cons of Total Knee Replacement.
But it is not only this that they are worried about. There are reports that say once you have undergone TKR on your one knee, you will likely undergo another procedure on your other knee. Patients raise concern that once you have had one knee replaced, there is a high chance that your other knee will need replacement too. So the question that needs to be answered is this: do both knees end up being replaced? Is this a fact or just a myth? Let us find out if there is any truth to this.
To answer the question, let us take a look into a particular study conducted on the subject. A population study spanning 40 years was conducted. This question was addressed to the TKR candidates: if you had one knee replaced, what are the chances that the other knee will also be replaced through Total Knee Replacement surgery? Based on the data studied, the general finding is this: there is 45% chance that the other knee will be replaced within 11 years after the first knee replacement. In the study, the data of 2,000 total knee patients, spanning from 1969 to 2008, were analyzed. The results show that out of the 2,000 patients who underwent one knee replacement, 809 had their other knee replaced within 11 years after the initial knee replacement procedure. In fact, most of the patients underwent the second knee replacement surgery within 10 years.
Now going back to the question, the answer is yes, it is a TKR surgery fact that both knees could end up being replaced. But this does not mean that TKR as a procedure is not working. It just goes to show that once one knee has encountered an injury or another problem that needs surgery; there is higher chance that the other knee will also encounter the same fate. Still, this does not take away the fact that TKR is an innovative and important procedure. And if you indeed end up having your other knee replaced too with an artificial one, you can still count on the procedure just as you had during the first surgery. As long as it is done right and by the right professional, there is really nothing to worry about.
If you wish to know more facts about Total Knee Surgery or if you need to consult anything about your knee problems or injury, contact Dr. Tarlow at Advanced Knee Care. Make an appointment with us and we will help you with your knee issues.
Dr. Tarlow is the only Orthopedic Surgeon to limit his practice to encompass Adult Reconstruction and Sports Medicine for the diagnosis and treatment of knees. Dr. Tarlow’s practice focuses on excelling in the art of Knee Diagnosis and Surgery. He performs the full spectrum of Knee Surgery from Knee Arthroscopy, ACL Reconstruction, Patellar Stabilization and Cartilage Restoration to Makoplasty Partial Knee Replacement to Total Knee Replacement to Revision Total Knee Replacement. His focus is exceptional customer service and he endeavors to exceed the diverse expectations of his patients.
