A patellectomy is the surgical procedure wherein your patella (or knee cap) will be removed.
What are the types of patellectomy surgery ?
It can either be partial (only part of the knee cap is removed) or it can be total (full knee cap is removed).
What is the Patella ?
The patella, or kneecap, is a sesamoid bone located in the front of the knee. Three bones make up the knee joint and they consist of the patella (knee cap), along with the tibia (the shin bone) and the femur (the thigh bone). The patella is surrounded by the quadriceps tendon which connects the quadriceps muscle of the thigh (a very powerful movement muscle) to the shin bone (tibia) below the knee joint. This patella acts basically as a pulley for the quadriceps muscle and aids in creating more power movements of the knee joint.
When is a patellectomy surgery indicated ?
The main aim of undergoing a patellectomy is to alleviate symptoms if you are suffering from severe degenerative arthritis of your knee joint, unbearable anterior knee pain or a shattered patella (comminuted fracture) due to trauma. The knee joint is also vulnerable to trauma after a patellectomy as the joint is now considerably exposed. A patellectomy is done when all the other options are not possible, as you may feel post operative weakness and poor extension (or lesser leg straightening), and this lack of the patella may also lead to problems later when a total knee replacement is considered.
What are you likely to experience after undergoing a patellectomy surgery ?
After your patella is surgically removed, you will feel significant instability in your knee as well as a decrease in muscle strength, lesser range of movement and muscle control than earlier. It is key that you undergo a physiotherapy program after the patellectomy.
How to find and reach orthopedic surgeons for patellectomy surgery ?
Now you can find and reach orthopedic surgeons for patellectomy surgery from different hospitals and destinations on a single platform, Hinfoways. You can avail opinions and information from multiple orthopedic surgeons, get cost estimates for patellectomy surgery from different hospitals, compare things and then choose an orthopedic surgeon or a hospital for patellectomy surgery.
Find, reach and choose an orthopedic surgeon for patellectomy surgery on Hinfoways. Make an informed choice.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider.