Knee replacement surgery is performed when more conservative approaches, like physical therapy, medication, and injections, have failed to provide adequate relief. If you experience severe pain or stiffness that impedes everyday activities, or suffer chronic pain and swelling, you should seek a professional assessment. Any deformity is another key indicator that medical intervention might be necessary.
Surgery is used to repair joints that have been damaged by degenerative conditions, like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, or by traumatic injuries, like car accident injuries or sports injuries. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of degenerative changes that require surgery to repair. Knee replacement surgery replaces the ends of worn bones with artificial components designed to improve range of motion and eliminate pain.
Partial knee replacement surgery replaces just a section of the knee – the outside (lateral) section the inside (medial) section or the kneecap. Total knee replacement surgery, or TKR, replaces the entire joint.
Surgeries typically involve four basic steps:
- Prepare the bone by removing the damaged cartilage
- Put the implants in correct positions to recreate the joint
- Resurface and cover the patella
- Insert a spacer to create a smooth gliding surface