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Knee Replacement Surgery – an Overview

Knee replacement surgery involves replacing some or all of the components of the knee joint with a synthetic implant, to repair the damaged weight-bearing surfaces that are causing pain. A total knee replacement surgery replaces all three compartments of the diseased knee joint. A partial knee replacement involves an implant in just one or two compartments of the knee, retaining any undamaged parts. While there are non-surgical and surgical interventions short of knee replacement which will often provide temporary relief, the long-term resolution to most knee degeneration will be joint replacement.

There are several different implant designs (see: total implants | partial implants) but each will offer renewed stability and movement. Overall, there are two main benefits to be gained from knee replacement surgery: (1) elimination of pain and (2) improved range of motion. Of all possible surgical interventions, total knee replacement offers the greatest quality of life improvement. The procedure has a high rate of success.

In order to make an informed decision about knee replacement surgery, it may be beneficial to learn more about the various implant options and the surgery itself.

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Knee Revision Surgery

A knee revision procedure involves removing and replacing a partial or total knee implant with a new implant. It can be a complex surgical procedure that may require extensive preoperative planning, specialized implants and tools, and a skilled surgeon experienced in difficult surgical techniques.1 With over 580,000 knee replacements performed annually in the United States, 90% […] […]

ConforMIS Knee Imaging

Why Computer Imaging May Be Used Prior To Knee Replacement

Successful treatment of knee problems is aided by gathering as much information as possible about the diseased joint before forming a plan of treatment. Patients who are candidates for a knee replacement may have some form of diagnostic imaging performed as part of the process of determining the best implant for their knee. Your orthopedic surgeon has […] […]

Knee Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy (not to be confused with arthroplasty) comes from two Greek words and literally means “to look within the joint.”1 Arthroscopic surgery allows your orthopedic surgeon to see, diagnose, and treat problems inside your knee. Your doctor may recommend knee arthroscopy if you have a condition that does not respond to non-surgical treatment but has not progressed so far […] […]

manipulation under anesthesia

MUA (Manipulation Under Anesthesia) After Total Knee Replacement

Manipulation under Anesthesia is a technique for treating stiffness and poor range of motion following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or knee revision surgery. Stiffness and decreased range of motion after TKA affects approximately 6 to 7% of patients.1 MUA is a non-surgical procedure performed in a hospital with the patient under general or spinal anesthesia. […] […]

Damaged Knee Joint Illustration

Knee Osteoarthritis (Arthritis)

Osteoarthritis, also known as “wear and tear” arthritis, is a joint inflammation that results from cartilage degeneration. Healthy cartilage acts as a specially lubricated surface in the joint and under normal conditions is perfectly smooth. When the cartilage deteriorates, it becomes rough or disappears entirely leaving the bone surfaces to rub against one another, causing […] […]

knee pain from injury and arthritis

Knee Pain and Problems from Injuries, Arthritis

Many knee problems occur during sports or recreational activities, work-related tasks, or home projects. Knee problems may also manifest due to injury, disease, overuse, or just everyday wear and tear. The complex design of the knee and the fact that it is one of the primary weight-bearing joints in your body are reasons why knee […] […]

Crooked knee straightened after knee replacement

Will my knee be straightened with surgery?

It is very common for an arthritic knee to become crooked. This deformity may even progressively worsen over time. Not only can knee replacement surgery potentially eliminate the pain caused by knee arthritis, it should correct or improve a crooked knee deformity as well. Knee arthritis results in the cartilage on the bone ends (‘hyaline’ […] […]

Knee Implants: The Importance of Fit

Standardized knee replacement implants come close to fitting the knee sizes of many people however there is some evidence that if the fit is off by as little as 3mm there may be painful side effects that persist after the surgery recovery period.1 Two factors are attributed to improper fit of an implant. Overhang occurs […] […]

Knee Replacement Physical Therapy

Knee Replacement Recovery: Exercises & Physical Therapy After Surgery

One of the most rewarding things to look forward to after knee replacement surgery is regaining mobility and independence that were previously compromised by an arthritic knee. In addition to getting adequate rest and managing your post-operative pain, the road to recovery following a total knee replacement includes light exercise and physical therapy techniques that […] […]

How successful is knee replacement surgery?

Knee replacement has become the most common form of joint replacement surgery. In 2010 over 721,000 such procedures were performed in the United States.1 Between 1991 and 2010, the incidence of knee replacements increased by over 161%, due partly to improvements in the science of knee replacement implants, experience of surgeons, and the growing population of […] […]

Minimally Invasive Knee Replacement Approaches and Procedures

“Minimally invasive knee replacement” refer to several procedures and strategies that you should understand carefully. Some so-called MIS procedures are simply variations of existing techniques, others are genuine advances that go much beyond just making a smaller skin cut. […]

About Knee Replacement

In order to understand knee replacement it helps to first understand the knee joint itself, the types of knee replacement surgery, and a little about the knee replacement implants for each type of knee replacement. The Parts of Your Knee Joint The knee is located at the juncture of three bones, the femur, the tibia […] […]

surgical tourniquet system

Tourniquet Use in Knee Replacement Surgery

If you are considering knee replacement surgery and you are like most patients, you are a little concerned about post-operative pain and rehabilitation. In fact, the subject is well studied and “pain immediately after surgery” and “length of recovery” are the most common concerns among patients undergoing hip and knee replacement surgery.1 In knee replacement […] […]

Pillows stacked for elevation in joint replacement recovery

Reducing Post-Operative Pain from Knee Replacement

It’s among the most common concerns for pre-operative knee patients. To be honest, there’s not an awful lot a person with arthritic knees can do before knee replacement surgery to lessen postoperative pain. When joints are damaged to the extent they need replacement, the damage is irreversible and medications will do little but take the […] […]

MAKO Bicompartmental Partial Knee Implant

Partial Knee Replacement Implants

Partial knee replacement (PKR) or resurfacing is necessitated when the arthritic damage to the joint is confined to one, two, or even three compartments of your knee: (1) Medial: the inner side of the joint next to the other leg; (2) Lateral: the outer side of the joint and (3) Patellofemoral: the area between the […] […]

ConforMIS Customized Implant

Knee Implants: Customized and Personalized Options

In recent years, surgeons and implant manufacturers have endeavored to provide patients of every size with knee implants to fit their specific frame. […]

Microport Types of Knee Implants

Types of Total Knee Implants

Total knee replacement implants are not one-size-fits-all or even one-style-fits-all. Prosthetic implants vary greatly by design, fixation and materials. Your implant may be a fixed- or mobile-bearing implant; a PCL-retaining design or a PCL-substituting style. It may be fixed with bone cement or could be a cementless fixation design. The choice of implant will ultimately be […] […]

knee replacement implant materials

Knee Replacement Implant Materials

The replacement knee joint is comprised of a flat metal plate and stem implanted in your tibia, a polyethylene bearing surface and a contoured metal implant fit around the end of the femur. The use of components made from metals and polyethylene allow for optimum articulation (or joint mobility) between the joint surfaces with little […] […]

Bilateral Total Knee Replacement

Bilateral knee replacement surgery means that both knees are replaced at the same time. It’s relatively uncommon to have the arthritis in both knees reach the same degree at the same time where a bilateral would be a consideration. But in those cases the decision to have a bilateral replacement done is one of convenience […] […]

Prescription Medication Bottle / Pills

Pain Medication and Addiction after Knee or Hip Surgery

The proper use of pain medication after knee replacement surgery or hip replacement surgery is a very important aspect of recovery. When your post-op pain is controlled, your pain and stress is minimized and your body’s energies will focus on healing. You will be able to perform physical therapy and home exercises with minimal discomfort. […] […]

Partial Knee Implant (image courtesy of ConforMIS)

Is the Plastic Used in Knee and Hip Implants Safe?

Every total knee replacement implant and many total hip replacement implants utilize ultra-high molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), a plastic, in their components. In knee implants, the tibial component is a flat metal platform with a polyethylene cushion and the patellar component, if used, is a dome-shaped piece of polyethylene. In hip implants, the acetabular socket is […] […]

How long do hip implants last?

Durability of Knee Implants: How Long Do Knee Replacements Last?

In the 1960s and 1970s, most believed that total knee implants would last about 10 years. This was one of the reasons that knee replacement procedures were confined to older patients. As time passed, it became apparent that the great majority of knee implants would last approximately 20 years and even longer. Improvements in surgical […] […]

Recovery from Knee Replacement

Recovering from Knee Replacement Surgery

Recovery Time One of the most common questions asked in our patient forum is “How long does it take to recover from total knee replacement surgery?” Each individual patient and circumstances differ significantly from the next. In most cases, though, a knee replacement patient will rest and rehab for anywhere between three and six months after surgery […] […]

Stryker Triathlon Knee

Knee Implants

Although a number of factors contribute to joint disease including genetics, developmental abnormalities, repetitive injuries and obesity, arthritis is the most common reason for knee implant surgery. A diagnosis of advanced osteoarthritis of the knee will indicate the need for total knee replacement implants. Arthritis limited to a single compartment of the joint may require […] […]

Surgical Procedures and Other Knee Treatments

Knee replacement surgery – like all surgeries – is generally only recommended after all conservative (non-invasive) treatment options fail to provide relief from symptoms. The knee joint can be damaged by osteoarthritis, other forms of arthritis, ligament injuries, tendonitis and bursitis. Knee pain caused by this damage can be treated in several ways, including a […] […]

To-Do

Preparing for Knee Replacement Surgery

Preparation for knee replacement surgery is mental and emotional. Reduce outside distractions in your life. Be aware of all aspects of the operation, your environment, and the instructions that are given to you by doctors, nurses and specialists. Taking an active role can help you achieve a more relaxed and positive attitude. […]

Stryker: Are you a candidate for knee replacement surgery?

How do I know if I need knee replacement surgery?

The most common diagnosis of the cause of knee pain prior to knee replacement is osteoarthritis. If you are prevented from carrying out your everyday activities due to pain or discomfort in the knee, then you may have arthritis of some kind. If so, difficulty in bending, squatting, kneeling, and walking may be indications that […] […]

second opinion about surgery

Why is it important to get a second opinion for a total knee replacement?

While total knee surgery is a common procedure with a high success rate in the US, getting a second opinion is still recommended. Each surgeon has had a specific training and education, and more experience with certain procedures over others. Some surgeons embrace new technologies and methods while others are more traditional in their practice. […] […]

Managing Knee Pain

How can I manage pain after my total knee replacement surgery?

Pain is a major concern for patients who are about to have total knee surgery. Post-operative knee replacement patients want to know what their life will be like after their surgery, how much discomfort they will have, and how many narcotics or other medications they will have to take. Educating yourself about pain before you […] […]

Virtual Communities for Knee Replacement Patients

Benefits of Online Communities for Knee Replacement Patients

Online patient communities and patient forums, like our own knee replacement forum, have proven to be useful sources of much needed support and information for patients, and the benefits of such online communities are becoming well documented. Also See: “Knee Arthroplasty: Shared Experience in a Virtual Community” (a PhD dissertation featuring BoneSmart®) Communities both for patients planning and recovering from knee replacement […] […]

Clock

What are the risks of delaying my knee replacement surgery?

Patients delay knee replacement surgery for a number of reasons, mostly out of fear and misinformation. Dr. Ian Clark, a medical researcher and founder of Peterson Tribology Laboratory for joint replacement at Loma Linda University, writes, “Most patients delay unnecessarily for several perceptual reasons: fear of the unknown, fear of surgery, fear of ‘losing’ a […] […]

How long does it take to recover from total knee replacement surgery?

Most patients undergoing total knee replacement surgery want to know when they’ll be able to return to their normal life. Questions about “recovery time” are common. There are many factors that can affect recovery time, but typically patients can return to normal life activities within 3 to 6 months. To be more specific we should […] […]

How to choose a hip or knee replacement surgeon and prosthesis

You’ve decided you want hip or knee replacement surgery and now it’s time to choose a surgeon and decide what kind of implant is right for me. Or maybe you’re asking the question, “When will I be ready?” Hip or knee replacement surgery requires careful planning, but it is also something that can give you […] […]

Time off Work

How much time will I have to be off work for knee replacement surgery?

Many patients are eager to know when they can return to work and resume their normal activities after knee replacement surgery. While the desire for a speedy recovery is nearly universal among patients, less understood and appreciated is the value of recovery time itself. Provided a patient’s recovery is uncomplicated, patients can return to office […] […]

Subcuticular Stitch

Total Knee Replacement Surgery

When a surgeon considers a patient for a total knee replacement, she takes into account your age, lifestyle, and damage to the joint. The decision to use one procedure over another, or one type of implant over another, can depend on the surgeon’s training and experience. Total knee replacement surgeries offer among the greatest success rates of all orthopedic operations. […]

Advantages of Minimally Invasive Surgery for Knee Replacement

The ultimate goal of minimally invasive surgery is not only to make a shorter skin cut, but also to reduce deep muscle trauma associated with surgery, such that pain is lessened, discharge is expedited, and the need for prolonged physical therapy is reduced. […]

What is the difference between total knee replacement and partial knee replacement?

What is the difference between total knee replacement and partial knee replacement?

If the knee joint disease is restricted to the inner side of the knee, your surgeon may simply reshape the damaged surfaces (partial (aka: "uni")). Not all patients are candidates, but a uni is considered less invasive and can require shorter recovery time than total knee replacement. […]

Choosing a Knee Implant / Prosthesis

One of the most important things you will want to discuss with your chosen knee surgeon is the type of knee replacement prosthesis he or she will be implanting. There is most certainly no single  “best prosthesis” on the market. Many manufacturers – including the ones listed on this site – create and sell many […] […]

MAKOplasty

Computer-Assisted Robotic Knee Replacement Surgery

In computer-assisted robotic surgery, a robot acts as an extension of the surgeon’s eyes and hands in a minimally invasive surgery to replace an arthritic knee. The robotics help surgeons operate more effectively through a smaller incision. Total knee replacements are routinely done around with world with a high degree of success. When the replacements […] […]

Conservative or Non-Invasive Treatment for Knee Pain

Knee replacement surgery – like all surgeries – is generally only recommended after all conservative (non-invasive) treatment options fail to provide relief from symptoms. There are a number of non-surgical treatment options for knee pain caused by osteoarthritis and other forms of arthritis, ligament injuries, tendonitis and bursitis. Knee Pain Treatment Options Exercise and physical therapy […] […]

Metal Ruler

Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) for Knee Replacement

Improvements in technique and surgical instrumentation allow today’s surgeons to insert prosthetic knee joints using shorter skin cuts with less surgical trauma, resulting in fewer days spent in the hospital. These most recent trends in knee replacement surgery focus on improved rehabilitation and pain management to accelerate post-surgery recovery. Employing new surgical techniques to reduce […] […]

Knee_Replacement_Approaches

Knee Replacement Approaches

What exactly happens during a total knee replacement surgery? How does the surgeon remove the existing knee joint components and replace them with a prosthetic implant? The surgery begins with an incision into the tissue to allow access to the patella (kneecap) and quadriceps muscle (on top of the upper leg). The quadriceps must then […] […]

Other Surgical Interventions for Knee Conditions

In most cases of joint degeneration, surgical intervention will be the appropriate means to long-term relief and mobility. There are several different surgeries which you and your surgeon may consider, depending on the specifics of your condition. Total knee arthroplasty (total knee replacement surgery) is the most severe knee surgery and is performed when the […] […]

Knee Scar

Possible Knee Replacement Surgery Complications

As with any surgical procedure, complications may occur following knee replacement. Surgeons will counsel their patients regarding these possible complications (and their probabilities) before consenting to any surgery. Bloodclots in the veins of the legs Bloodclots (thrombosis) are the most common complication of knee replacement surgery. On occasion, the clots dislodge and travel through the […] […]

knee replacement examination

Reasons for Knee Replacement Surgery

Although there are several conditions which may lead to the need for knee replacement, arthritis (whether it be osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or traumatic arthritis) is the most common reason. A number of other factors contribute to joint disease including genetics, developmental abnormalities, repetitive injuries and obesity. The knee joint is the largest and most complex […] […]

Anatomic Knee

About the Knee Joint

To fully understand your knee degeneration, the knee replacement procedure and the mechanics of your knee implant, you will first need to know a bit about the knee joint itself and how it functions. While damage or wear to any portion of the knee – bones, muscles, cartilage or ligaments – can negatively affect motion […] […]

Doctor

Choosing a Knee Replacement Surgeon

You’ve suffered through pain and discomfort related to your knee degeneration and have finally decided to consult with an orthopedic surgeon. Choosing the right orthopedic surgeon is very important to a successful surgery and recovery. A few considerations when selecting an orthopedic surgeon and scheduling your knee replacement surgery: Experience: How long has the surgeon […] […]

Oxford Knee (Biomet)

Knee Resurfacing and Partial Knee Replacement

Knee Resurfacing (also known as Partial Knee Resurfacing, Partial Knee Replacement (PKR)) retains the healthy compartments of your knee joint and only replaces the damaged surfaces. Resurfacing may be an option for you if the arthritic deterioration of your knee is limited to only one or two of the compartments of your knee. Are you […] […]

Total Knee Replacement Implants

Total Knee Replacement Implants

A total knee replacement replaces your diseased knee joint with man-made components, eliminating the damaged bearing surfaces that are causing pain. A diagnosis of advanced osteoarthritis of the knee will indicate the need for total replacement of the knee joint. While you may think of the knee as a hinge, it is really much more […] […]

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