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Jarosław Kaczyński has undergone a knee joint replacement surgery. According to Polsat News, the president of PiS is now facing rehabilitation. What is this procedure? Knee prosthesis is one of the most important medical achievements of recent years in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joints. This ailment often makes it difficult, and in some cases even makes it impossible to move freely. Knee endoprosthesis is a perfect solution for people suffering from degeneration who want to maintain independent mobility.
- Jarosław Kaczyński, the President of Law and Justice, has undergone a knee joint replacement surgery. According to his colleagues, the operation was successful and the politician is now facing rehabilitation
- Endoprosthesis implantation is performed in patients who have degeneration of the knee joints, manifested by pain, swelling, problems with movement
- Endoprosthesis implantation operations are reimbursed, but you should know that the procedure usually has to be repeated after a few years due to the wear of the material from which the prostheses are made
Degeneration of the knee joints
Degeneration of the knee joints is a common condition and affects people of all sexes, ages and walks of life. The cause of this disease is individual in each case. However, there are circumstances that may be factors contributing to its occurrence. These include: previous lower limb injuries and a long, tiring lifestyle (for example, working in a standing position, with a lot of strain on the legs). The occurrence of this disease may also be a symptom of the aging of our body tissues.
As a result of the degeneration, the cartilage that forms the knee joints is lost. The femur and tibia begin to rub against each other painfully, the menisci and cruciate ligament are destroyed. Osteophytes – dangerous growths – appear on the surface of the bones that join in the joint. These changes result in mobility problems, pain and destabilization of the knees. During the development of the disease, further symptoms may appear, such as deformation of the knee joints, swelling, inflammation. When walking, bones can crackle, causing unpleasant sensations and “jumping over”. Most often, degeneration is diagnosed by taking an X-ray. If it shows deformation of the joint space, joint damage or bone growth, then the orthopedist will find degeneration of the knee joint.
Knee prosthesis – what do you need to know?
Knee degeneration can be treated in a non-invasive way. When this form of therapy does not bring relief, surgery is recommended. The procedures used include: arthroscopy of the knee, osteotomy, and – if the degeneration of the knee joint is significant – removal of the knee joint and its replacement with a knee endoprosthesis, as was the case with Jarosław Kaczyński.
The knee joint endoprosthesis is made of a durable material that guarantees the possibility of its long-term use. However, this is not a final solution, as the endoprosthesis or one of its components may wear out within a few years of use. Then there is a need to undergo another surgery – replacement of the endoprosthesis or its defective component.
The procedure of implanting a knee joint prosthesis is reimbursed by the National Health Fund, and the waiting time varies depending on the place of residence and in 2018 it ranged from one month to over a year.
Types of knee joint endoprosthesis
There are several types of knee prostheses used. The choice of a specific one depends on the course and stage of development of the disease, as well as the damage it causes. The following types of knee endoprosthesis are distinguished:
- total or single-compartment knee endoprosthesis,
- cement or cementless endoprosthesis,
- unbound, semi-bound or bound (depending on how the bones are joined).
Possible consequences of knee prosthesis implantation
Since the procedure of replacing the joint with a knee joint endoprosthesis is a significant interference in the structure of the limb, dangerous postoperative complications may arise. The most serious threat is thromboembolism, against which appropriate anticoagulants are used. Deep vein thrombosis may also occur, especially if the patient is static or obese after surgery. This procedure is also associated with the possibility of infection of the site undergoing surgery. To avoid developing an infection, patients take the antibiotic for a short time after surgery.
The above list can be supplemented with rare complications, such as: breach of ligaments in the knee joint, difficulty in moving the affected limb, breach of nerves or tissues directly adjacent to the joint, as well as loosening of the endoprosthesis, i.e. its displacement or deviation from the intended place .
Rehabilitation after knee replacement surgery
People who have decided to undergo a knee replacement procedure should take part in post-operative rehabilitation. Its main element is exercises in moving the leg and using the “new” knee. Rehabilitation begins with the simplest of exercises – such as contracting individual muscles in your legs. Then you practice simple activities with your feet – sitting down and getting out of bed, walking with or without a crutch. If pain symptoms do not appear during rehabilitation, further, more advanced exercises are performed, such as leg bending, lifting the heel towards the buttocks, and walking up the stairs.
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