A knee prosthesis is then the optimal solution for you when all other possibilities have been exhausted. When physiotherapy, medication and joint preserving strategies no longer help, we prefer to, and often do, work together with Rheumatologists and Pain Specialists. We primarily try to find a treatment method which avoids an operation or at least delays an operation until a later point in time. The range of medical possibilities is nicely and accurately illustrated by the Swiss Rheumatoid Arthritis Association (www.rheumaliga.ch).
The decision-making process regarding a knee replacement can last months or even years. Your knee, and you yourself, must be ready for this step.
When the decision for a knee arthroplasty has been taken, several options exist. Regardless of which alternative is chosen, the implantation of a knee replacement is a major operation in every case. For the surgeons it concentrated and precise work. After the operation, your contribution is crucially important in order to attain the desired result. Of course we will guide and support you during the healing process.
Each major operation has its risks: secondary bleeding, an infection or thrombosis could occur. Instability, stiffness, and residual symptoms may occur. The greatest potential risks long term after the implantation of the new knee joint include: loosening of one of prosthetic components, a hematogenic infection, or wear of the polyethylene component.
A knee arthroplasty is a major procedure and should be well thought through. Well-structured procedures at our partner clinics lend themselves to a trouble-free process and your safety. The “MOTION Treatment Pathway”, initiated amongst others by Prof. Arnold, has been developed in recent years at Hirslanden Klinik Birshof, and the AndreasKlinik in order to provide you with optimal treatment.
Historical Knee Prosthesis
Around 1890, even before antibiotics were discovered, large amounts of bone, several centimeters above and below the actual joint line were removed together with the whole joint and replaced with an artificial hinge. These times are long gone, If we speak about a total knee replacement nowadays, a new artificial surface for the worn biological surfaces is what we mean to describe.
Classical Knee Prosthesis
Knee arthroplasties have been implanted since the 1970s. When using a classical implant, a few different sizes are available. During the operation the one is chosen which best fits to your knee. Basically, this principal has been unchanged over the last decades: your knee is adapted to the shape of the prosthesis, the amount of adjustment necessary differs from case to case.
Partial Knee Replacement
Just part of your knee joint is painful or worn out? There are situations in which it is not recommended to cover the whole knee joint, rather just one compartment.
Individual Total Knee Arthroplasty
Individual total knee prostheses have existed since 2011. No two knee joints look exactly the same. In some cases the differences from one knee to another are impressive. For this reason, the personalised implants are produced to replicate the shape of your knee joint.