What Is Prosthetic Surgery?
Prosthetic surgery refers to the replacement of severely damaged or lost joints—due to trauma, tumors, or various diseases—with artificial joints made from different materials. This procedure restores the function of joints that have lost their ability to move.
Knee replacement surgery, first performed in 1968, has become a highly successful treatment method today, thanks to advancements in surgical techniques, material technology, and implant design.
Who Is It For?
Prosthetic surgery may be recommended in the following cases:
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Advanced joint osteoarthritis
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Severe joint cartilage damage
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Persistent pain that does not improve with rest, medication, or physical therapy
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Limitations in walking and daily life activities
However, not every patient is suitable for this surgery. Conditions such as obesity, uncontrolled diabetes, and certain systemic diseases may negatively affect the success of prosthetic surgery. For this reason, a thorough evaluation of the patient’s overall health is essential.
Surgical Process
Prosthetic surgery can be performed on both elderly and younger patients. Common indications include trauma, cartilage degeneration, or various rheumatic diseases. Since cartilage tissue cannot repair itself, surgical intervention is often required in cases of severe damage.
During surgery, pain management is carefully provided, and after the operation, patients are supported with painkillers as needed. On average, patients may need to stay in the hospital for about 4 days following the procedure.
Post-Surgery Recovery Process
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Day 1: The patient is encouraged to start walking.
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Days 3–4: If no complications develop, the patient can be discharged.
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Weeks 4–6: The patient can gradually return to daily activities under controlled conditions.
In the postoperative period, it is crucial for patients to follow their physical therapy and exercise programs carefully. Although artificial joints are highly advanced, they are not the same as natural joints. Therefore, movements should be performed cautiously, and all restrictions and recommendations given by the doctor must be followed.
Risks of Prosthetic Surgery
As with any surgical procedure, prosthetic surgery carries certain risks, including:
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Infection
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Joint stiffness
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Blood clots (thromboembolism)
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Need for rehabilitation
To minimize these risks, it is very important for the patient to start walking and begin physiotherapy as early as possible after surgery. At home, patients should continue the recommended exercises and use of a walker as instructed by their doctor.
Symptoms:
Persistent and severe pain that does not improve even at rest
Loss of flexibility in joints such as the knee, hip, or shoulder, with difficulty bending or standing up
Difficulty climbing stairs, walking, or standing for long periods
Joint pain severe enough to disturb sleep or wake the patient at night
Visible deformity, swelling, or changes in joint shape
Increasing difficulty in performing simple daily tasks such as dressing, wearing shoes, or squatting
Lack of improvement despite long-term conservative (non-surgical) treatments
Frequently Asked Questions:
- After joint replacement surgery, it is important for patients to carefully follow their doctor’s instructions and attend regular check-ups. When used correctly, joint prostheses can last for around 25–30 years.
- A joint prosthesis is used in patients who experience damage or severe arthritis in the knee or hip joints. In such cases, knee or hip replacement surgery is often the most effective and long-term solution.
The robotic joint replacement system is a modern technology that helps design and place the prosthesis in the most accurate position according to the patient’s unique anatomy. This ensures greater precision, better alignment, and improved long-term outcomes.
- Knee replacement surgery is preferred in cases where the cartilage of the knee joint is damaged. The procedure helps restore the lost function of the knees and allows patients to return to their daily lives without pain.
The risk of developing complications after total hip replacement surgery is quite low. One of the most serious complications, infection, occurs in only about 1% of cases. However, for patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or immune system disorders, this risk may be slightly higher.
- Robotic surgery is the use of advanced computer and robotic systems as supportive tools to enhance the accuracy and precision of knee or hip replacement procedures.
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