David Crawford MD – An Insight into Knee Arthroplasty Operation

Knee arthroplasty is the ideal procedure for people with a severe knee injury or suffering from severe arthritis. In this operation, surgeons cut off the damaged bones and surrounding cartilage from various parts of a patient’s knee. These include the femur (thighbone), the upper portion of the tibia (shinbone) and kneecap. The medical specialists then proceed to replace the damaged bones and relevant cartilage with a suitable prosthesis.

David Crawford MD – An overview of the knee arthroplasty procedure

Dr. David Crawford is a prominent orthopedic surgeon from New Albany, Ohio. He is a graduate of The Ohio State University College of Medicine and has over ten years of valuable experience in the field. Dr. Crawford specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of sports injuries, tumors, degenerative disorders, infections, and birth defects. He also carries out a complex knee and hip replacement surgeries. Currently, he works at Colonel Florence A. Blanchfield Army Community Hospital in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

When do surgeons recommend a knee arthroplasty procedure to a patient?

Dr. Crawford says surgeons recommend a knee arthroplasty operation to patients as a last resort when one generally suffer from excruciating knee pain. A person might find it very difficult to perform simple activities like climbing a flight of stairs, walking or even sitting on a chair. Many patients even experience discomfort while resting on a bed at night. This is when a surgeon recommends them a knee arthroplasty operation.

As per David Crawford MD, patients who want to undergo a knee arthroplasty operation should find out more about this procedure. They need to be aware of the risk factors which may arise from the surgery. These include blood clots, post-operation infections, ruptures to the surrounding blood vessels, and issues relating to the implants. Moreover, these individuals need to ensure the surgeon carrying out the operation has the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience. Moreover, the doctor should also have a good reputation in the market. This is why it is prudent for them to browse the Internet to obtain relevant information.

Procedure

During the procedure, the surgeon administers local anesthesia to the patient and gives him/her an antibiotic medicine. This is necessary to ensure the individual is comfortable throughout the procedure. It also ensures he/she does not end up suffering from a post-operation infection. The medical expert then proceeds to make a 10-inch-deep incision around the patient’s kneecap. This is necessary to take out the damaged bones and relevant cartilage. After doing so, the surgeon inserts the necessary implants and ensure their proper alignment with the rest of the patient’s knee. Once the operation is over, the patient is kept in a recovery room for about 2 hours.

According to David Crawford MD, undergoing a knee arthroplasty is the best option for people that suffer from an injury or severe arthritis in their knees. In this operation, surgeons replace their damaged bones and surrounding cartilage with suitable implants. This enables them to perform simple activities like climbing the stairs or walking without feeling any discomfort. Nevertheless, they should remember that this operation has its share of risks. They could end up suffering from blood clots, post-operation infections, ruptured blood vessels, and problems relating to the implants. These individuals should weigh the risks before opting for this procedure by discussing with a doctor.