TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT TO CORRECT LEFT KNEE DEFORMITY AFTER 10 YEARS OF SEVERE OSTEOARTHRITIS

A 69-year-old man suffered from severe left knee pain and deformity for over a decade due to advanced osteoarthritis. Thanks to total knee replacement surgery at Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital, he regained mobility, corrected joint alignment, and returned to daily activities without pain.

Total Knee Replacement To Correct Left Knee Deformity After 10 Years Of Severe Osteoarthritis

For over a decade, Mr. N.V.H. (69 years old, Binh Dinh Province) endured pain in his left knee, walking with a limp that made mobility difficult. Despite years of medical treatment and taking various medications at different hospitals, his condition showed no significant improvement.

Upon examination, he presented with severe joint pain and difficulty walking. X-ray results revealed grade IV knee osteoarthritis, along with underlying hypertension. The doctors recommended total knee replacement surgery on the left side. This procedure involves removing the damaged cartilage and replacing it with an artificial joint to prevent bone-on-bone contact, which causes pain.

After clinical evaluation and imaging studies, Dr. Huynh Dang Thanh Son, Specialist Level II and Deputy Head of the Orthopedics & Traumatology Department, stated: “This was a complex case, as the patient had suffered from joint pain and knee deformity for many years. The misalignment was approximately 30 – 40 degrees, and the entire articular surface of the left knee was severely damaged (grade IV). Two critical issues needed to be addressed are correcting the limb alignment and balancing the surrounding soft tissues”.

“Total knee replacement was the optimal solution to correct the deformity, relieve pain, prevent permanent disability, and help the patient return to normal daily activities”, Dr. Son added.

The surgery was completed in two hours and was a success. Postoperatively, the patient’s condition stabilized, and his leg deformity was corrected. He no longer experienced left knee pain. Just a few days later, he was able to move gently, perform physiotherapy exercises, and was discharged in good condition.

Dr. Son further explained that total knee replacement is an advanced technique in which the damaged joint cartilage is replaced with a prosthetic implant. This procedure significantly reduces pain and improves knee function. It is highly effective for patients with severe osteoarthritis, joint misalignment, or those who no longer respond to medical treatment — helping improve overall quality of life.

Common symptoms of knee osteoarthritis

• Pain in the front or inside of the knee, which worsens with movement or when transitioning from sitting to standing
• Increasingly persistent pain over time
• Joint stiffness and difficulty moving after prolonged rest
• Swelling in the knee joint
• Misaligned legs (bow-legged or knock-kneed), resulting in impaired mobility

Depending on the stage of the disease, doctors will recommend appropriate treatment methods.

At Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital, total joint replacement surgery is one of the hospital’s advanced procedures performed routinely. The orthopedics team is regularly trained and upskilled at leading hospitals in Vietnam and abroad. The hospital also actively applies other modern techniques to treat musculoskeletal conditions, such as hip replacement, knee arthroscopy, and shoulder joint surgery.

Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital accepts both public health insurance and private health insurance. To schedule a consultation at the hospital, please contact our hotline at 1800 67 67.

Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital

No. 88, Street No. 8, Trung Son Residential Area, Binh Hung Commune, Ho Chi Minh City.

Hotline: 18006767

info@nih.com.vn

BRC: No. 0312088602, issued on December 14th, 2012 by the Department of Planning and Investment of Ho Chi Minh City. Medical Examination and Treatment License No. 230/BYT-GPHĐ, issued by the Ministry of Health.