About the Knee
The knee is the largest joint in the body. We depend on our knees in most everyday activities.
The knee is made up of the lower end of the thighbone (femur), which rotates on the upper end of the shin bone (tibia), and the kneecap (patella). The kneecap slides in a groove on the end of the femur. Large ligaments attach to the femur and tibia and help to provide stability.
The joint surfaces where these three bones meet are covered with articular cartilage, which cushions the bones, enabling them to move easily.
The remaining surfaces of the knee are covered by the synovial membrane, a thin, smooth tissue, which releases fluid to lubricate the knee joint in order to reduce friction.
Total Knee Replacement
When knee pain and loss of function due to arthritis or injury become severe, and other treatment options are not working, knee replacement may be an option to restore mobility and relieve pain. X-rays will be used to determine the amount of damage to the bones and cartilage in your knee.
The total knee replacement, or arthroplasty takes approximately 2 hours. During the procedure, the surgeon will remove damaged cartilage and bone and then position the new metal and plastic joint prostheses in their place.
Partial Knee Replacement
If diagnostic testing reveals that only one side of your knee is damaged, your surgeon may decide a partial knee replacement is right for you. Partial knee replacement repairs the side of the knee joint that is damage instead of the entire joint surface as in total knee replacement. Because only one side of the knee is being replaced, a small incision may be used. This is sometimes referred to as “minimally invasive” surgery.
Minimally Invasive Knee Replacement
Recent advances in the performance of total knee replacement have allowed for the use of minimally invasive surgical approaches. This technique can be more challenging than the standard total knee replacement. According to some reports, the smaller incisions (about half the size of the standard approach) and new techniques may result in short-term advantages such as a quicker rehabilitation, less pain, and a shorter hospitalization. Your orthopedic surgeon will decide if this procedure is right for you.
Procedures
The Orthopedic Surgeons at North Cypress Medical Center offer a variety of knee replacement procedures. You and your physician will work together to determine which procedure is right for you. Click on the following procedures to learn more a about a few that are offered:
Recovery and Rehabilitation
For the first few days after surgery, it is probable that you will be on some type of pain medication. The physician will decrease the medication as you are feeling better. The day following surgery, most people are able to start to walk with a walker or crutches and may even be able to bear weight on the knee. The rehabilitation process begins while you are still at the hospital and continues on an outpatient basis once you return home. It is vital that you take an active role in the rehab process to get the most from your surgery.
