What components are used for prostheses in knee replacement surgery?
There are different types of components that are used in artificial implants for knee replacement surgery-
- Femoral component: This part of the implant is directly attached to the femur and has a groove that allows the patellar component to slide while you are bending the knee joint.
- Tibial component: It is a flat two-piece metal and plastic part of the implant that is attached to the tibia. The plastic part acts as a cushion between the tibial and femoral components.
- Patellar component: It is a plastic dome-shaped component that is resurfaced to match the shape of the patella.
The plastic components of the implant are made of polyethylene, while the metal component is usually made of cobalt-chromium, titanium, zirconium, and nickel. Knee implants can be categorized into four categories based on what they are made of:
- Metal on plastic
- Ceramic on plastic
- Ceramic on ceramic
- Metal on metal
Recovery Tips for Knee Replacement Surgery
There are a few tips that can help you recover faster post knee replacement surgery-
- Avoid strenuous activities as it may put excessive pressure on the surgical site.
- Eat a healthy and balanced diet to maintain a regular weight.
- Attend physiotherapy sessions to regain muscle strength in order to improve your movements post knee replacement surgery.
- Take prescribed medication on time to reduce discomfort during the recovery period and to heal smoothly.
- Wear a brace on your knee as suggested by your surgeon to support the replaced knee joint.
- Start with minimal activities and walk really slow with the help of a cane or walker to avoid pressure on the surgical site.
- Keep the surgical site clean and dry to avoid any kind of infection post-knee replacement surgery.