What Is Cemented Knee Replacement?

Knee replacement is the most common procedure for those experiencing chronic joint pain due to arthritis. A knee replacement procedure involves removing the damaged parts of the knee and replacing them with prosthetic components. There are two ways to join the prosthetic components to the patient’s natural bone: cemented joint prosthesis and cementless joint prosthesis.

A cemented knee replacement requires the use of fast-drying cement for the prosthetic components to adhere to the natural bone. Since this kind of cement dries quickly, the surgeon can be confident that the prosthetic was properly implanted.

Advantages Of Cemented Knee Replacement

The first advantage of cemented knee replacement is that it is great for patients with poor bone quality. This procedure is the best option for individuals with certain conditions, like osteoporosis. These individuals have bones that may be unable to adequately grow around the prosthetic pieces, which is crucial for them to stay firmly in place. Cemented knee replacement ensures the prosthetic pieces will stay in place regardless of bone quality. This type of procedure is also recommended for patients who are less active, overweight, and elderly.

Another advantage of cemented knee replacement is that it is a safer approach in terms of infection risk. During the surgery, a small amount of antibiotics can be applied along with the cement. This medical technique decreases the possible risk of infection.

Disadvantages Of Cemented Knee Replacement

One of the main drawbacks of undergoing this type of surgery is the risk that bits of cement may break off later on. This problem can lead to the following:

The debris from the degradation can irritate the surrounding soft tissue in the area, which might trigger an inflammatory response.
The breakdown of the cement can loosen the artificial joint.
The cement debris may also enter the bloodstream and affect the lungs. This is a risk for patients undergoing joint replacement surgery in the spine.
In some rare cases, patients can have an allergic reaction to the bone cement—requiring the patient to undergo a second surgery to remove the cement and prosthesis and go with an alternative treatment.

While there are some possible risks, cemented knee replacement is a very common procedure and complications are pretty rare. When it comes to cemented knee replacement, surgeons can do a lot to reduce the risks mentioned above. This includes evaluating the patient’s medical history and allergies prior to surgery. They also perform the procedure in the safest way possible to reduce the risk of complications later on. Talk to your surgeon about how to reduce your risk of compilations prior to getting cemented knee replacement.

Preparing For The Procedure

Before undergoing the procedure, you will work with your doctor to ensure you are a good candidate for joint replacement surgery and cemented knee replacement.

Ask your doctor any questions that you have in mind.
Be honest with your medical history.
Undergo a complete physical examination before the surgery.
Notify your doctor of the medications you have taken in the past and the ones you are prescribed at the moment.
Inform your doctor if you are allergic to anything.
Meet with your physical therapist to prepare for your rehabilitation plan after surgery.

Orthopedic Care In South Texas

The Center for Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine specializes in orthopedic care, including cemented knee surgery. We employ the latest surgical techniques which will ensure you have maximum functionality restored. We also have the best physicians who are well-trained to computer-assisted surgery.

If you would like to learn more about how cemented knee surgery works and if it’s a good option for you, schedule an appointment with us online or call our office at (210) 692-7400.