Knee Replacement Surgery

A total knee replacement, also known as total knee arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure where the diseased cartilage and bone are replaced with a prosthesis.

It is typically done to relieve severe pain caused by osteoarthritis or when a person has trouble walking, climbing stairs, getting in and out of chairs or when the knee is in pain at rest.

If the diseased cartilage and bone are only limited to one knee area, a total knee replacement might not be necessary. Instead, a partial knee replacement might be a better treatment option because only a portion of the knee will be resurfaced.

What to expect from the procedure:

Before

Before any procedure, an orthopaedic surgeon will assess the knee's range of motion, stability and strength. They will then choose from a variety of prostheses considering age, weight, activity level, knee size and shape, and overall health.

During

During a total knee replacement, the patient's knee will be bent to expose all the joint surfaces. The surgeon will make a long incision and then move your kneecap aside to cut away the damaged joint surfaces. Once the joints have been prepared, the surgeon will attach the artificial joints. Before closing the incision, they will bend and rotate the knee to ensure proper function. In total, the procedure should last around two hours.

After

After the procedure, the patient will be expected to gradually increase their activity level to encourage blood flow and prevent swelling or blood clots. After 3 to 6 weeks, most patients can resume daily activities. After complete recovery, a person can continue to engage in low-impact activities but should avoid higher impact activities like jogging or contact sports. Most knee replacements can last up to 15 years.

A partial knee replacement will only need a small incision, and the recovery time will be shorter than a total knee replacement.