Knee revision surgery is performed when a previously implanted artificial knee joint needs to be replaced with a new prosthetic joint. Also known as arthroplasty, knee revision surgeries are typically performed when the first implant begins to cause pain, limit range of motion in the knee, or becomes damaged and poses the risk of causing permanent damage to the knee joint.
One of the most common causes of an artificial knee joint malfunction is for the prosthesis to become loose. Loosening usually occurs as the result of mechanical stress due to the weight bearing nature of the knee joint and the strain that results from normal movement like walking and running. A patient can also develop inflammation where the prosthetic meets the bone. Continued inflammation can lead to a condition known as osteolysis, where the bone begins to degenerate. As the bone continues to erode, the prosthetic will eventually come lose.
Revision Knee Surgery in Beverly Hills
Highly-skilled orthopedic surgeons like Dr. Eric Millstein, who performs revision knee surgery in Beverly Hills, will sometimes also use a bone graft to repair the damaged joint. Surgeons have two options for performing a bone graft. The most common method is known as an autograft, where a bone fragment is taken and used from another location in the patient’s own body. The second method is known as an allograft, where the bone fragment is taken from another donor, usually a cadaver.Pain, stiffness, and loss of mobility and range of motion are usually the first early warning signs that the artificial knee might be undergoing damage and eventually need to be replaced. Depending on the degree and location of the knee pain, in addition to certain conditions such as a patient’s age and the specifics of their first surgery,
Pain, stiffness, and loss of mobility and range of motion are usually the first early warning signs that the artificial knee might be undergoing damage and eventually need to be replaced. Depending on the degree and location of the knee pain, in addition to certain conditions such as a patient’s age and the specifics of their first surgery, doctor will take an x-ray to determine if bone loss has set in and decide how to proceed from there.
Next, read more about ACL recovery in Los Angeles.
