When knee joints are injured or simply become worn out, a knee replacement surgery can often be the best procedure. Knee replacement eases pain and allows the knee to regain better function. The surgery involves removing damaged bone and cartilage and replacing it with parts made of plastic and/or metal.
Your surgeon will evaluate your knee for stability, range of motion, and strength to determine if a knee replacement is right for you.
The knee is a complex hinge-type joint which is formed by the articulation of the femur (thighbone), tibia (shinbone), and patella (kneecap). It also consists of various muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage.
Ligaments
There are 4 main ligaments of the knee which serve to stabilize the joint throughout range of motion. The medial collateral ligament and lateral collateral ligament exist on either side of the knee and provide stability from a side-to-side motion. The anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament exist within the knee and provide rotational and front-to-back stability to the joint. Injury to one or more of these ligaments can cause significant pain but also the feeling of knee instability.
Cartilage
The surfaces of the femur, tibia, and patella are lined with articular cartilage which enables the joint to move smoothly and freely. Deterioration of this smooth cartilage lining can be very painful and debilitating for patients. This can be due to a variety of reasons including arthritis (osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis), trauma, infection, and other specific conditions. Another cartilage structure called a meniscus also exists between the articular cartilage on both the inside and outside aspects of the knee. These C-shaped structures provide added stability to the knee as well as act as shock absorbers within the joint. Damage to these menisci can be quite painful for patients as well.
The knee is a complex hinge-type joint which is formed by the articulation of the femur, tibia, and patella. The surfaces of these bones are lined with articular cartilage which enables the joint to move smoothly and freely. Deterioration of this smooth cartilage lining can be quite debilitating for patients, causing significant pain and limitation in knee range of motion. This can be due to a variety of reasons including arthritis (osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis), trauma, infection, and other specific conditions. Total knee replacement is a surgical procedure in which the damaged and arthritic bone is removed and replaced with prosthetic components. For patients with knee arthritis that has not responded to conservative measures, total knee replacement can provide excellent pain relief and restoration of joint motion. With newer minimally invasive techniques and modern surgical protocols, total knee replacement patients are leaving the hospital sooner and recovering quicker.
The knee is a complex hinge-type joint which is formed by the articulation of the femur, tibia, and patella. The knee joint can be divided into three compartments – medial (inner aspect of knee), lateral (outer aspect of knee), and patellofemoral (underneath the kneecap). The surfaces of the bones in all three of these compartments are lined with articular cartilage which enables the joint to move smoothly and freely. Deterioration of this smooth cartilage lining can be quite painful and debilitating for patients. When the deterioration is widespread throughout the knee, then total knee replacement is a good option. However, when the arthritis is only present in a single compartment, a partial (also called uni-compartmental) knee replacement may be a great option. If performed in the correct patient, partial knee replacement has been shown to have excellent long-term outcomes. If you do have arthritis localized to a single compartment, there are numerous advantages in having a partial knee replacement as opposed to a total knee replacement as outlined below.
Advantages of Partial Knee Replacement
If performed for the correct patient, partial knee replacement has multiple advantages over total knee replacement including:
Less post-operative pain
Easier and quicker recovery after surgery
Improved knee motion
Feels more like a normal knee
Smaller incision
Less blood loss
Revision knee surgery involves replacing a portion or all of your previous knee replacement components. There are a variety of reasons why revision knee replacement is performed as listed below. Extensive workup is typically performed prior to revision surgery and can include bloodwork, advanced imaging, and occasionally knee aspiration. We ask that you obtain all prior medical records and operative reports related to the knee to bring with you to your office visit. Appropriate pre-operative workup ensures that you have the best possible outcome after revision knee replacement.
Reasons for Revision Knee Replacement
Implant loosening
Infection
Knee instability
Fracture
Bone loss
Implant wear
Computer navigation is a general term that describes an assortment of technology that can be utilized during joint replacement surgery with the main goal being more accurate implant positioning and alignment. Your surgeon can employ this technology during either primary or revision knee replacement to provide real-time intra-operative information. It can be particularly useful in the setting of prior history of trauma or large deformity. With improved accuracy of implant positioning, computer navigation can help improve clinical outcomes and longevity of your knee replacement.
