Should You Opt For Cemented Or Non-Cemented Knee Replacement?
18 AugWhen a patient is suffering from extreme knee pain or knee damage that leads to difficulty in the simplest of activities like standing and walking, and when no kind of medications, physical therapies, and walking supports are helping, the last option is to undergo a knee replacement surgery. So, how is the original knee replaced and with what? Well, science has gone far ahead to make the procedure of knee replacement an easy and successful one today. The original knee is removed from the body, and another metal/plastic artificial prosthesis is fit into place. Now, you may ask how this part is glued to the body, to keep it in place. There are two procedures – a cemented option, and a non-cemented one. Let us learn about both these kinds of procedures in detail.
Cemented knee replacement
Just like cement is used in construction of buildings to hold the bricks in place, there is special bone cement for arthroplasty that is used between the leg bones and artificial prosthesis to bind them firmly together. We have four ligaments that surround and protect our knee, which are damaged during a knee replacement. This is why surgeons use special bone cement to keep the prostheses in place for at least 2-3 decades. However, there are different factors that decide upon how long the cement will last, and whether the patient must opt for a cemented procedure or not, in the first place. If the patient has a hyper active life, lives a lifestyle where there could be stress on the knee, or is overweight, a cemented procedure is not suggested, as the stress could weaken the cement over time. Generally, patients over 65 years of age are suggested a cemented procedure as the physical pressures on the knee are lesser in older patients. Also, a cemented procedure can help the patient to immediately bear their complete body weight after surgery, which can be very helpful for the aged.
Non-cemented knee replacement
As the name suggests, this kind of surgery does not require any kind of cement to be added between the bones and prostheses. This surgery involves the use of special knee implants that can be attached to the bone and held in place without cement. In such a case, the natural bone of the body grows over a certain amount of time and gradually covers the implant. But, this procedure takes lots of time, care, and patience for the patient to heal. However, the results of such surgeries are equally successful as cemented procedures. But, this kind of surgery is better for those who live a hyper-active lifestyle and for those who are still young, and have the capability to struggle a little to carry their weight.
However, there are situations when the elderly are suggested a cementless procedure, and younger patients are advised a cemented one. It is ultimately the surgeon who decides what kind of surgery you must undergo, after studying your age, lifestyle, and body conditions. So, make sure to consult a reliable surgeon before deciding upon your knee replacement type.