The implants, as they are called, are made from a variety of materials, including metal, ceramic, or plastic. Knee replacement surgery, which can take 1 to 2 hours, has become so precise that doctors can choose from a variety of knee designs that suit your height, weight, and activity level. Cartilage restoration: Sometimes when the knee only has an isolated area of injury or wear this area can be replaced with a living cartilage graft or cells which grow into cartilage.This procedure may be needed if you have very severe arthritis or if you’ve already had two or three knee replacement surgeries. Complex (or revision) knee replacement.This can be very effective for people with chronic kneecap arthritis. Patellofemoral replacement. This replaces only the under-surface of the kneecap and the groove the kneecap sits in.

Partial knee replacement can be performed through a smaller cut than is needed for total knee replacement. However, it’s only right for you if you have strong knee ligaments and the rest of the cartilage in the knee is normal. If arthritis affects only one side of your knee, this surgery may be a possibility. Your surgeon replaces the surfaces of the thigh bone and shin bone that connects to the knee.

There are 5 main types of knee replacement surgery:

Knee injuries: A broken bone or torn ligaments around the knee sometimes will result in arthritis that causes great pain and limits your movement.

Deformities: People with bowed legs or “knock-knees” often get surgery to restore the position of the knee.

Rheumatoid arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis is when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the lining of the knee.

The age-related condition is very common and occurs when cartilage - the cushion between the knee and the bone joints - breaks down. Osteoarthritis is the main reason why people go for knee replacement surgery.

The artificial joint is then attached to the thigh bone, shin, and kneecap with a special material such as acrylic cement. doctors perform more than 600,000 knee replacement surgeries each year, many of which are now being done robotically.ĭuring surgery, an orthopedic surgeon removes the damaged part of the knee and replaces it with an artificial joint made of metal and plastic. It can help ease the pain caused by severe arthritis. If that’s the case, it could be time to consider knee replacement surgery.Īlso known as arthroplasty, knee replacement surgery is one of the most common bone surgeries in the United States. You’ve tried medicines, injections, and physical therapy. It’s painful to walk the dog, climb a flight of stairs, or simply get out of a chair.

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