Orthopaedic Clinics Spain

OPERATION: …… Knee Replacement (Knee Arthroplasty) PROCEDURE: The knee is an important hinge joint and as it is weight-bearing can be prone to “wearing out”. Arthritis is painful and disabling and you and your surgeon may have decided that a knee replacement may be your best option. A knee replacement is a surgical procedure, in which the injured or damaged running surfaces of the knee are replaced with artificial parts which are secured to the bone. If you have any X-rays of your own please remember to bring them with you to the hospital. You will be seen by the surgeon before the operation. They will take this opportunity to draw (mark with a pen) on your leg. This is to make sure the correct leg is operated on. If you have any questions, this might be a good time to ask them. An anaesthetic will be administered in theatre. This may be a general anaesthetic (where you will be asleep) or a local block (e.g. where you are awake but the area to be operated is completely numbed). You must discuss this with the anaesthetist. A tight inflatable band (a tourniquet) may be placed across the top of the thigh to limit the bleeding. Your skin will be cleaned with anti-septic solution and covered with clean towels (drapes). The surgeon will make an incision (a cut) down the middle of the knee. The knee capsule (the tough, gristle-like tissue around the knee) which is then visible can be cut and the knee cap (patella) pushed to one side. From here, the surgeon can trim the ends of the thigh bone (femur) and leg bone (tibia) using a special bone saw. Some surgeons also remove the underside of the knee cap. Using measuring devices, the new artificial knee joints are fitted into position

Total Hip Replacement OPERATION: ……. Hip Arthroplasty ( total hip Replacement) PROCEDURE: The hip joint is a “ball and socket joint”. It is a very important joint as it allows a great deal of movement but is also weight-bearing. As a result of this, it is often prone to “wearing away”. This is a simplified reason as to why arthritis occurs. Arthritis can be a very painful disorder which may slow down your mobility/ walking or even stop you from sleeping. A hip replacement is an operation which replaces the severely damaged hip bone with an artificial ball and socket that does the function of the natural joint. It may reduce the pain and help in walking and sleeping. If you hold any x-rays, please bring them with you when you come into hospital. You will be visited by your surgeon before the operation. If you have any questions, now might be a good time to ask them. The surgeon will mark on your leg with a felt pen. This is to make sure the correct leg is operated on. An anaesthetic will be given in theatres. This may be a general anaesthetic (where you will be asleep) and/ or a regional block (e.g. where you are awake but the area to be operated is completely numbed) for example an injection into the spine. You must discuss this and the risks with the anaesthetist. If you have any allergies, please also tell them. You will lie on the opposite side to the one being operated on. Your skin will be cleaned with antiseptic fluid and clean towels (drapes) will be wrapped around the hip. The surgeon will make a cut (incision) using a surgical knife (scalpel). The exact location of the incision depends on your surgeon’s technique. The length of the incision also depends upon the surgeon and your leg. A cut is made through the fat and muscles which lie in the way of the hip bones