Procedure: Total Knee Replacement

The knee joint is formed by the tibia or ’shin bone’ and the femur or ’thigh bone’.  The joint ends are covered with a smooth layer of articular cartilage which allows the joint to move freely without pain in normal, healthy knee joints.  The knee joint is also enclosed in fibrous tissue which forms a capsule with a lining known as synovium.  The synovium produces a fluid which acts as a natural lubricant that reduces friction in the knee joint.  This friction is the action that produces the ’wear and tear’ on the knee joint.  In the cases where a Total Knee Replacement may be required, the joint surfaces have been ’worn away’ and the knee is failing to function normally. 

A Total Knee Replacement procedure involves the replacement of the knee joint with an artificial joint or prosthesis.  The damaged ends of the bones and cartilage are replaced with metal and plastic surfaces that are designed to restore the knee movement lost by the original knee joint.  When a Total Knee Replacement is performed, joint surfaces are removed from the end of the femur and tibia and instruments are used to create the exact surfaces necessary to accomodate the new artificial joint.  Once these surfaces are prepared, metal and plastic implants are placed and fitted.  The type of implant used in the procedure will depend upon the preference of the surgeon and the condition of the bone.