Knee Joint Replacement - CENTRE FOR ORTHOPAEDICS, SPORTS MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION - Dr. Erich H. Rembeck

Knee Joint Replacement

How do you replace a knee joint?

In particular the damaged joint surfaces are replaced. This can be done with a partial prosthesis or a total prosthesis with replacement of all surfaces. It lies within the skill and the experience of the treating surgeon to choose the most suitable model from the large numbers of prosthesis models on offer, which also has to meet the requirements of the activities wished to be undertaken in the future. The artificial knee joint is mostly the therapy of choice when other methods have not been successful.

Therapy Success

Pain in the knee joint – particularly during everyday pressure – can often be sustainably eliminated with a suitable replacement of the damaged cartilage surface through metal or polythene surfaces. The treatment outcomes after this operation are very good if undertaken with a good operations technique, particularly when the patient correctly handles the new knee. Please take time to discuss and practice the correct handling with your rehabilitations trainer. A very essential part of the functionality of the artificial knee joint depends on the rehabilitation.

Inability to work

The inpatient stay lasts about 5-7 days. The following stay in a specialised rehabilitation clinic lasts 3-4 weeks, afterwards a continuation in the form of an outpatient rehabilitation for 2-3 months is indicated. Depending on professional activities you should estimate 6-8 weeks in which you will be unable to work.

Sports activities

In particular, sport types which have an extreme impact or expose turning on the joint should be avoided. Apart from that, sport types such as hiking, cycling, swimming and golfing are possible without problems. If your goal is to continue practising further types of sport, we offer you the chance to speak to our rehabilitation trainers in the ECOS-Reha and to prepare yourself with the help of specified measures.