Knee joint replacement is surgery to replace a painful damaged or diseased knee joint with an artificial joint (
Alternative Names
Total knee replacement; Knee arthroplasty; Knee replacement - total
Description
The operation is performed under general anesthesia. The orthopedic surgeon makes a cut over the affected knee. The patella (knee cap) is moved out of the way, and the ends of the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone) are cut to fit the prosthesis. Similarly, the undersurface of the knee cap is cut to allow for placement of an artificial component.
The two parts of the prosthesis are implanted onto the ends of the thigh bone (femur), the shin bone (tibia), and the undersurface of the knee cap (patella) using a special bone cement. Usually, metal is used on the end of the femur, and plastic is used on the tibia and patella, for the new knee surface. However, newer surfaces including metal on metal, ceramic on ceramic, or ceramic on plastic are now being used.
In many cases, a mini-incision can now be used to avoid cutting the tendon on the front of the knee. This allows for faster, less painful recovery than standard total knee replacement.
You will return from surgery with a large dressing on the knee area. A small drainage tube will be placed during surgery to help drain excess fluids from the joint area.
Your leg may be placed in a continuous passive motion (CPM) device after surgery. This is a mechanical device that flexes (bends) and extends (straightens) the knee to keep the knee from getting stiff.
Gradually, the rate and amount of bending will be increased. The leg should always be in this device when in bed. The CPM device helps speed recovery, and decreases pain, bleeding, and infection.
You will experience moderate pain after surgery. However, you may receive injections of narcotic medications, patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) or epidural (in the spinal column) pain medications to control your pain for the first 3 days after surgery.
