Knee Replacement Surgery

Knee replacement surgery, is also called knee arthroplasty, replaces a worn or damaged knee with an artificial implant (prosthesis).

A knee replacement procedure is recommended for patients who have developed severe knee damage due to osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. This procedure may also be necessary for patients who have had fractures, torn cartilage or ligaments that have led to irreversible damage to the knee. If knee replacement surgery is necessary, our expert orthopaedic surgeons will help you determine what procedure is right for you and help guide you through the process of recovery.

Knee Replacement Options

When medications and other treatments cannot keep knee pain at a manageable level, surgery to replace the knee joint may be appropriate.

TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT

Total knee replacement (TKR) is the standard treatment for advanced osteoarthritis. During this procedure, plastic and metal inserts are used to replace bone and cartilage in all sections of the knee, including medial, lateral and the kneecap. The vast majority of total knee replacements function for more than 10 years and over 80 percent last more than 20 years after surgery. More than 90 percent of knee replacement surgery patients experience a significant reduction in knee pain.

PARTIAL KNEE REPLACEMENT

While total knee replacements are more common, 8-to-10 percent of patients with chronic knee pain qualify for a partial knee replacement. Patients who undergo a partial knee replacement rather than a total knee replacement often recover more quickly. Partial knee replacement is a surgical option for patients with localized damage to one part of the knee joint. This surgery replaces one damaged portion of the knee while leaving healthy areas intact. It’s typically performed on the inside (medial) section of the knee, but in some cases, it’s performed on the outside (lateral) section. Surgery which replaces the knee cap and the trochlear surface of the femur alone is called a patella femoral arthroplasty.

This procedure is more conservative than a total knee replacement, involving smaller incisions, faster recovery and possibly improved long-term range of motion than the standard total knee replacement. The knee may also feel more natural. However, in the future, you may need a conversion to a total knee replacement.

Minimally Invasive Partial and Total Knee Replacement

Minimally invasive is a term used for any type of surgery that is less invasive than traditional or open surgery. Minimally invasive partial or total knee replacement surgeries are innovative procedures that can be as effective as traditional surgery.

Minimally invasive knee replacements use smaller and fewer incisions around the knee, and have been proven to reduce postoperative pain, minimize trauma to tissue, and quicken recovery time. The most appropriate candidates for minimally invasive knee replacements have minimal or moderate deformity, maintain a healthy weight, have few pre-existing health conditions and are motivated to participate in the rehabilitation process.

Are You a Candidate for Knee Replacement?

To determine the most appropriate knee replacement surgery for you, our knee surgeons consider a wide range of factors, including severity of symptoms, overall health and response to previous treatment.

If you are experiencing the following, surgery may be advised.

. Severe pain that prevents you from participating in everyday activities

. Have weakness in your knee and cannot move it fully

. If your symptoms don’t improve with non-surgical treatments

For those who may have been diagnosed with advanced osteoarthritis, the condition of your knee joints will determine your surgical options. Surgery on the knee is common for severe osteoarthritis with a high success rate.

Article Source: https://www.brighamandwomens.org/orthopaedic-surgery/knee-replacement-surgery