Knee Joint Preservation in Dubai
Knee Joint Preservation Facts
- Knee Joint Preservation aims to delay or prevent the need for total knee replacement surgery.
- Studies suggest that early intervention with knee joint preservation surgery can significantly improve outcomes.
- Around 15-20% of patients who undergo knee preservation procedures eventually require knee replacement surgery.
- Knee joint preservation techniques have shown a success rate ranging from 70% to 90%.
- Factors affecting success rates include patient age, severity of knee damage, and adherence to post-procedure rehabilitation protocols.
Our orthopaedic surgeon Dr Rik Kundra is an expert in sports injuries and has been helping many young and old individuals in knee rehabilitation through his precise procedures in Knee Joint Preservation in Dubai.
What is Knee Joint Preservation?
Different methods of joint care achieve the restoration of normal knee joint motion and function without the need for replacement, a process known as “knee joint preservation.” This approach enables orthopaedic surgeons to address knee joint issues while maintaining the natural structure of the affected joints. Knee joint preservation techniques are primarily surgical or non-surgical and is employed in individuals with defects in the knee’s articular cartilage.
Injuries to the cartilage often precede arthritic conditions and may present as knee pain. The symptoms and acuteness of knee joint defects can vary among individuals. As the articular cartilage lacks the ability to self-regenerate or heal, surgical intervention is often necessary to initiate or promote new cartilage growth. Restoring articular cartilage or knee preservation procedures can not only alleviate pain and improve function but can also delay or prevent arthritis onset in the knee joint in certain cases. Get the Knee Joint preservation in Dubai by our expert Dr Rik Kundra.
Who can benefit from knee joint preservation?
Knee preservation methods address issues stemming from inflammation, cartilage imperfections, meniscus tears, and knee misalignment resulting from degeneration or injury. The goal of the treatment is to effectively address these underlying knee conditions, enabling our patients to resume their active lifestyles.
Indications for knee joint preservation encompass:
- Cartilage degeneration and osteoarthritis
- Meniscus tears
- Ruptured cruciate ligaments
- Runner’s knee
- Jumper’s knee
- Leg misalignment (valgus or varus)
Approaches for Knee Joint Preservation in Dubai
Non-Surgical Approaches
Non-operative biological therapies
High Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid:
- Consists of larger molecules.
- Provides longer-lasting lubrication and cushioning in the knee joint.
- Offers sustained relief from pain and improved joint function.
Low Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid:
- Comprises smaller molecules.
- Penetrates more deeply into the joint tissues.
- Stimulates cellular repair and regeneration in the knee joint.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy:
- Involves isolating and concentrating platelets from the patient’s blood.
- Platelets contain growth factors that aid in tissue repair and regeneration.
- Injected into the knee joint to stimulate the healing of damaged tissues and reduce inflammation.
Stem Cell Therapy:
- Utilizes the patient’s own stem cells, often extracted from bone marrow or adipose tissue.
- Injected into the knee joint to regenerate damaged cartilage, improve joint function, and reduce pain.
Growth Factor Injections:
- Administered to promote tissue healing and regeneration in the knee joint.
- Contains growth factors that promote the proliferation of cells involved in tissue repair.
- Helps restore the structural integrity of the joint and alleviate symptoms of osteoarthritis.
- Physiotherapy: In combating joint damage, physical therapy and exercise stand as primary defenses. Amidst acute pain episodes, movement may prove challenging, and ill-suited exercises can exacerbate the condition. Hence, a personalized exercise regimen overseen by a qualified physiotherapist and orthopaedic surgeon aids in restoring function and alleviating pain.
- Pain Management Modalities like IFT and Ultrasound: Targeted application of pain-alleviating methods such as ice therapy, massage, deep heat, and occasionally nerve stimulation or ultrasound can provide relief in specific instances.
- Lifestyle Adjustments: Sedentary lifestyles and heightened stress levels pose threats to both general and bone health. Embracing healthier habits contributes to the preservation of knee joint health.
- Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers, NSAIDs: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs obtained without a prescription aid in mitigating acute knee pain and inflammation. However, prolonged use requires caution and supervision by our orthopaedic surgeon.
- Steroids: Should NSAIDs prove ineffective, corticosteroid injections into the joint space may be recommended to alleviate inflammation. Steroids act by stimulating prostaglandin synthesis and reducing the activity of collagenase and other cartilage-damaging enzymes, thereby offering pain relief.
Surgical Approach
Minimally invasive surgical methods may complement conservative approaches or serve as an alternative if conservative measures prove ineffective.
Here are some of the knee joint preservation in dubai surgical interventions that our surgeon may go ahead with in some cases:
Knee Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy utilizes a tiny camera (arthroscope) and specialized tools to conduct minimally invasive surgery. Through small incisions, the surgeon employs the arthroscope to examine the knee joint area. Procedures such as the removal of damaged cartilage, meniscus, or loose bodies (Debridement) and repair of injured tissue can be carried out. Sometimes, knee arthroscopy is employed to assess cartilage surfaces in various sections of the knee joint as part of a comprehensive evaluation.
Arthroscopy is frequently employed as an initial step to potentially defer more intricate surgical interventions that may still be necessary in the future.
Knee Osteotomy
Osteotomy, which translates to “bone cutting,” involves surgically cutting and realigning either the upper part of the tibia (shin bone) or the distal part of the femur (thigh bone) in a knee osteotomy. This procedure is recommended for individuals with knee osteoarthritis localized to a specific area of the knee joint. The surgery aims to adjust the alignment of the lower limb passing through the knee, redirecting the line of weight-bearing away from the affected portion of the joint to the healthier side. By doing so, symptoms of early osteoarthritis are alleviated, and the progression of the condition is slowed. Knee osteotomy is typically suggested for younger patients seeking to preserve their natural knee joint and may not be suitable candidates for early joint replacement.
In some instances, knee osteotomy can also address complex knee ligament instability or be combined with surgery to repair meniscus and cartilage damage in the knee joint.
High Tibial Osteotomy (HTO)
High Tibial Osteotomy involves a surgical intervention in which the upper portion of the tibia (shin bone) is strategically cut to realign a varus knee (bowlegged condition). In instances of medial compartment overload, where the lower limb’s alignment passes through the inner part of the knee, resulting in pain on the knee’s interior side, HTO may be recommended. This procedure aims to alleviate unbearable pain by redirecting the line of weight-bearing towards the outer compartment of the knee.
Distal Femoral Osteotomy (DFO)
Distal Femoral Osteotomy is a procedure carried out for patients experiencing a valgus knee deformity (knock-knee) instead of a varus deformity (bowlegged). Those with this condition often suffer from pain on the outside (lateral compartment) of the knee. To address the symptoms associated with lateral compartment pain and overload, a distal femoral osteotomy involves cutting and realigning the femur (thigh bone). While less common than HTO, this surgical intervention shares similar aspects, such as procedural advancements, post-operative recovery, associated risks and benefits, and expected outcomes.
Meniscus Transplantation
Meniscus Transplant is a surgical technique involving the substitution of a deficient meniscus with donor tissue. Before the cadaveric donor tissue is acquired, a thorough screening process is conducted by the tissue bank. The donated tissue undergoes tests to detect viruses like HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B and C, along with bacterial culture examinations. The donor meniscus is meticulously processed to ensure its safety and suitability for transplantation.
Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty
Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty, also known as Unicompartmental Knee Replacement, is a surgical intervention employed to alleviate arthritis affecting one of the knee compartments by replacing the damaged areas. On average, Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty makes up around 5-10% of knee arthroplasty procedures.
Advantages of UKA include:
- Reduced blood loss during the surgical procedure
- Smaller incisions leading to less postoperative pain
- Preservation of the bone, cartilage, and ligaments in the healthy parts results in a more natural feeling knee as opposed to their removal.
Expectations post-surgery
Following knee arthroscopy, the majority of patients are discharged on the same day. The duration of recovery hinges on the complexity of the repair procedure undertaken. Simple procedures generally entail swifter recoveries, while more intricate ones may necessitate a longer recuperation period. Notably, the recovery timeline for knee arthroscopy is markedly quicker compared to that of open knee surgery.
To manage postoperative discomfort, patients are typically prescribed pain medication. Additionally, the use of crutches or knee braces may be recommended for several weeks to facilitate support and stability. Furthermore, a rehabilitation program may be prescribed to optimize recovery outcomes. Our orthopaedic doctor will often include therapeutic exercises aimed at restoring joint motion and strengthening the muscles surrounding the leg and knee in this program.
Post-operative Rehabilitation
Knee Joint preservation in Dubai proves highly effective when coupled with a comprehensive post-operative rehabilitation regimen and consistent physical therapy. Our knee doctor in Dubai highly recommends this approach to sustain range of motion, restore muscle activation, and reduce post-operative swelling.
Recovery from any cartilage repair procedure typically necessitates a healing and repair period of at least 6-8 weeks. In some cases, additional assistance, such as crutches, may be necessary for several weeks. Patients typically begin focusing on enhancing range of motion and building muscle strength within two weeks post-surgery, while engaging in high-intensity physical activities like running may commence after four to six months, contingent upon adequate bone healing.
Looking for Knee joint preservation in Dubai?
Seek expert guidance from our orthopaedic surgeon Dr Rik Kundra
If you’re in search of knee joint preservation in Dubai, look no further than the expertise of orthopaedic surgeon Dr Rik Kundra. With a wealth of experience and a commitment to patient care, he offers personalized guidance and innovative approaches to preserving knee joint health; especially minimally invasive arthroscopic knee surgical techniques.
Dr Rik’s expertise provides comprehensive care tailored to individual needs helps you maintain mobility, alleviate discomfort, and preserve the integrity of your knee joints for years to come.
Knee Joint Preservation in Dubai FAQ’s
The cost of a knee operation in Dubai can vary largely according to many different factors such as the type of procedure, the hospital or medical center chosen, the surgeon’s fees, the complexity of the surgery, the need for additional medical services, and post-operative care requirements. It’s essential to get in touch with a healthcare provider Dr to get an accurate estimate based on your specific needs and circumstances.
A joint preservation procedure involves various surgical techniques aimed at maintaining or restoring the function and integrity of a damaged joint, such as the knee or hip, without resorting to joint replacement. These procedures often include cartilage repair or regeneration methods, osteotomy to realign bones, ligament reconstruction, and meniscal repair. By addressing issues like osteoarthritis, ligament injuries, and cartilage damage early on, joint preservation procedures aim to alleviate pain, improve joint function, and delay or avoid the requirement for joint replacement surgery. They provide patients with the opportunity to preserve their natural joint and maintain an active lifestyle for longer periods.
A joint preservation procedure involves various surgical techniques aimed at maintaining or restoring the function and integrity of a damaged joint, such as the knee or hip, without resorting to joint replacement. These procedures often include cartilage repair or regeneration methods, osteotomy to realign bones, ligament reconstruction, and meniscal repair. By addressing issues like osteoarthritis, ligament injuries, and cartilage damage early on, joint preservation procedures aim to alleviate pain, improve joint function, and delay or avoid the need for joint replacement surgery. They provide patients with the opportunity to preserve their natural joint and maintain an active lifestyle for longer periods.
The hardest knee surgery to recover from is often considered to be a total knee replacement (TKR) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA). While TKR is highly effective in relieving pain and restoring function in severely damaged knees due to conditions like osteoarthritis, the recovery process can be challenging and lengthy. It typically involves a period of post-operative pain, swelling, and stiffness, followed by extensive rehabilitation to regain strength, mobility, and range of motion. Full recovery from TKR surgery can take several months, and achieving optimal outcomes often requires commitment to physical therapy and lifestyle modifications. However, the long-term benefits of improved joint function and reduced pain justify the challenging recovery process for many patients.
Joint preservation involves techniques to maintain or restore a damaged joint’s function without replacing it, while joint replacement surgically replaces the damaged joint surfaces with artificial implants. Preservation aims to delay or avoid replacement, while replacement offers a durable solution for irreparable joint damage, such as advanced osteoarthritis.
Disclaimer
All content and media on this page are created and published for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Meet Dr. Rik personally for appropriate medical diagnosis and advice.
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