Injury from accidents sometimes make people unable to use their knees. They are often implanted an artificial device called a prosthetic knee. Surgeries are necessary to install which, and are used in place of damaged bones or cartilage. The procedure has several phases which can take a week or more to complete.
Man made devices called prostheses are instituted to individuals who have lost manipulation of their limbs. They are replacements to whatever parts they lost use of. For instance a person whose arm had been amputated can have a prosthetic engineered to imitate the appearance or use of an arm. Some patients who also need prostheses are those who have congenital or birth defects.
Before the surgery starts, patients' health need to be assessed to ensure they are fit enough to undergo the long operation. If they pass, they are given blood-thinning medication and antibiotics to reduce risks of complication. Then their legs are cleaned and prepared for the procedure. After that, general or spinal anaesthetic is administered to make them unconscious.
In order to access the patient's damaged knee, doctors incise through the area near it. While operating, they use mechanical devices like stockings and foot pumps to avoid clots. Then, they move the muscles, patella(knee-cap) and soft tissues aside to expose the joint. After that, bone and cartilage from the femur and tibia are extracted to make sure the prosthesis will fit.
Then the prosthesis is glued or cemented on the bone so that it is secure. They use specialized material on these adhesives that are created specifically for such cases. Then the rearrangement of the patella, muscles and other ligaments take place. After that a tube gets inserted into the incision to drain fluids. Stitches are finally made to close the wounded area.
After the surgery, the joint is covered with bandages for dressing. Nurses will also monitor the health of the patient and check for vital signs such as body temperature and blood pressure. They also give pain relievers, and antibiotics so that patients' risk of catching an infection is minimized.
Seven to ten days is necessary for the patients to recover fully, given that there are no complications. Doctors ensure the patient's stability by giving them therapy and exercise lessons. This is so that they will be comfortable and able to move with their newly installed prosthesis. Also included are exercises such as walking.
Today, there is still no perfect prosthetic knee invented. But with the help of scientists' technology and research, the day may come when full human gait recovery is realized. For now, only time will tell.
Prosthetic Knee
Man made devices called prostheses are instituted to individuals who have lost manipulation of their limbs. They are replacements to whatever parts they lost use of. For instance a person whose arm had been amputated can have a prosthetic engineered to imitate the appearance or use of an arm. Some patients who also need prostheses are those who have congenital or birth defects.
Before the surgery starts, patients' health need to be assessed to ensure they are fit enough to undergo the long operation. If they pass, they are given blood-thinning medication and antibiotics to reduce risks of complication. Then their legs are cleaned and prepared for the procedure. After that, general or spinal anaesthetic is administered to make them unconscious.
In order to access the patient's damaged knee, doctors incise through the area near it. While operating, they use mechanical devices like stockings and foot pumps to avoid clots. Then, they move the muscles, patella(knee-cap) and soft tissues aside to expose the joint. After that, bone and cartilage from the femur and tibia are extracted to make sure the prosthesis will fit.
Then the prosthesis is glued or cemented on the bone so that it is secure. They use specialized material on these adhesives that are created specifically for such cases. Then the rearrangement of the patella, muscles and other ligaments take place. After that a tube gets inserted into the incision to drain fluids. Stitches are finally made to close the wounded area.
After the surgery, the joint is covered with bandages for dressing. Nurses will also monitor the health of the patient and check for vital signs such as body temperature and blood pressure. They also give pain relievers, and antibiotics so that patients' risk of catching an infection is minimized.
Seven to ten days is necessary for the patients to recover fully, given that there are no complications. Doctors ensure the patient's stability by giving them therapy and exercise lessons. This is so that they will be comfortable and able to move with their newly installed prosthesis. Also included are exercises such as walking.
Today, there is still no perfect prosthetic knee invented. But with the help of scientists' technology and research, the day may come when full human gait recovery is realized. For now, only time will tell.
Prosthetic Knee
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