In
daily life, many middle-aged and elderly individuals are plagued by knee joint
pain, yet they harbor great fear towards "knee replacement" surgery.
The widespread concern about the high surgical risk and slow postoperative recovery
leads to repeated delays in treatment. Ultimately, knee pain evolves from
occasional episodes to persistent severe pain, and normal walking progresses to
arduous steps, severely impacting the quality of daily life.
In response to the widespread concerns of the public, Professor Peng Hao, a specially-appointed expert from Hainan Cancer Hospital/Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Hainan Medical University and Hainan Chengmei Hospital, made it clear that knee arthroplasty is a well-established orthopedic surgery with decades of clinical application.
The vast majority of patients can completely overcome the troubles of joint pain and limited mobility through standardized surgical treatment and systematic postoperative rehabilitation, significantly improving their quality of life.
1
Real case: 60-year-old patient successfully underwent knee replacement
Ms. Yu, 60 years old, has been suffering from pain and discomfort in her right knee joint for over 2 years, with the condition worsening and limiting her walking for half a year. Due to the increasing pain, even walking has become a luxury. Recommended by an acquaintance, she approached Professor Peng Hao, a well-known bone and joint expert in China, with a trial attitude.
During the consultation, Professor Peng Hao noticed that Ms. Yu had developed a noticeable limping gait. Through detailed physical examination and comparison of imaging data, Professor Peng diagnosed her with osteoarthritis of the right knee joint - imaging showed degenerative changes in the right knee joint, with a significantly narrowed joint space, and severe degeneration in both knees.
After admission, Professor Peng Hao conducted relevant examinations for Ms. Yu and successfully performed a total knee arthroplasty on her severely affected right knee joint. Post-surgery, the medical team administered anti-inflammatory treatment and guided her through rehabilitation exercises. The entire recovery process went smoothly, with no complications such as infection or lower limb venous thrombosis occurring. She was able to ambulate well.
The postoperative follow-up examination of the right knee joint in both the frontal and lateral views showed that the position and size of the prosthesis were very ideal. Two weeks after the surgery, Ms. Yu recovered and was discharged from the hospital. Professor Peng advised her to have regular outpatient follow-ups.
Nowadays, Ms. Yu has overcome the troubles of limping and pain, and has regained the joy of walking normally.
2
Rumour-busting: knee replacement is not about "replacing the entire knee"
Professor Peng Hao explained that the knee joint, the largest weight-bearing joint in the human body, is composed of both bony structures and soft tissues. Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is a common disease among the elderly, especially in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Patients often exhibit symptoms such as joint pain, deformity, and limited mobility, which significantly impact their daily lives.
When knee joint injury reaches a certain degree, the flexion-extension function is limited, accompanied by long-term recurrent pain. If symptoms cannot be alleviated through rehabilitation therapy, the use of walking aids, medication, physical therapy, etc., patients will experience limited mobility, physical and psychological pain, and a reduced quality of life. At this point, joint replacement surgery is the "big move" to solve the problem.
However, many patients panic upon hearing the term "knee replacement", thinking it involves a major surgery with high risks, and there are numerous misconceptions. Professor Peng specifically explained that knee arthroplasty, also known as knee resurfacing arthroplasty, involves removing the damaged or diseased part of the joint surface (approximately 2-10mm thick), and then implanting an artificial joint prosthesis of the same thickness onto the surface of the removed area, creating a smooth joint surface to replace the diseased joint, thereby achieving the goals of alleviating pain, correcting deformities, and restoring joint function.
The entire process is akin to "mending the worn-out contact surface of a joint", rather than "replacing the entire knee" as commonly misunderstood. Some elderly patients, after understanding the surgical principle, vividly liken this procedure to sanding the soon-to-be-worn-out sole of a shoe and then applying a "patch".
Finally, Professor Peng emphasized that postoperative rehabilitation should be tailored to individual needs, and patients should undergo gradual rehabilitation training under the guidance of a doctor. This approach helps improve joint mobility and enhance quality of life, allowing patients to truly achieve "early recovery, early discharge, and less suffering".
Currently, our hospital has established a deep collaboration with Professor Peng Hao, which will comprehensively enhance our capabilities in precision diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic diseases, as well as the management of complex cases.
Professor Peng Hao has been deeply involved in the diagnosis and treatment of osteoarticular diseases for 42 years, specializing in various complex artificial hip and knee replacements as well as joint revision surgeries. Middle-aged and elderly friends in Hainan who are plagued by osteoarticular pain, especially those who are elderly and have complex conditions, can enjoy top-notch orthopedic diagnosis and treatment services in China without leaving the island.
Expert Introduction
Peng Hao
Chief Physician Level 1 (Grade 2 Position)
professor
Ph.D. supervisor
He is the head of the orthopedics department at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, the director of the orthopedics research laboratory, the former director of orthopedics, the director of joint surgery, and the deputy director of general surgery (2005-2024). He has been awarded the title of Outstanding Communist Party Member by the Health Commission of Hubei Province, Wuhan University, and Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University multiple times.
Medical expertise
With 42 years of experience in the diagnosis and treatment of bone and joint diseases, especially having rich clinical experience in the treatment of joint diseases; proficient in complex artificial hip and knee joint replacement surgeries and joint revision surgeries. Clinical focus: stepwise treatment of femoral head necrosis, surgical treatment of hip joint developmental dysplasia arthritis; stepwise treatment of knee joint osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, series of surgeries for hip (acetabulum, femoral neck, femoral head) fractures; as well as limb-sparing surgeries for tumors around the hip and knee joints.
Clinic Hours
July 19th, 8:00-12:00
Visit location
Consultation Room 1, First Consultation Area, Hainan Cancer Hospital
Kind reminder
To facilitate the experts in understanding your condition as soon as possible, please bring along:
1. ID card, medical insurance card, mobile phone;
2. Imaging data from previous relevant examinations;
3. Paper medical records, diagnosis reports, hospitalization records, and other records from previous visits;
4. The most urgent issues that need to be addressed or consulted.