Knee replacement, or “total knee replacement,” is a surgical procedure in which the diseased or damaged knee joint is replaced with an artificial joint or prosthesis.
 

Your knee is made up of 3 bones: the lower end of the thigh bone or femur, the upper end of the shin bone or tibia, and the knee cap or patella. Most replacement joints consist of a metal femoral component, a metal tibial component, and a plastic bushing that is inserted into the tibial component. Sometimes a plastic patellar component (often called a patella button) will also be added to the backside of the patella if your kneecap is excessively worn. The procedure begins with an incision on the front of the knee, and the knee cap being moved off to the side to access the joint.
 

Damaged bone and cartilage at the end of the femur are cut away, and the bone is measured and cut to fit a metal replacement femoral component. Damaged bone and cartilage at the top of the tibia are also cut away, and replaced with a metal tibial component. Next, a plastic insert is snapped into the tibial component.

The femoral component moves over this plastic component, creating a replacement joint surface for your knee. In some cases, the backside of the knee cap may also be replaced with a dome-shaped plastic component, usually if there is excessive wear of the cartilage of the knee cap.
 

Partial knee replacement is similar to total knee replacement, but in a partial knee replacement, only the worn-out part of the joint is replaced (usually the medial or “inner side” of the knee, including the tibia and femur, or the articulation between the patella and the femur, called the “patellofemoral joint”).
 

Measurements and tests are completed before closing the surgical wounds to ensure the prosthesis is appropriately sized and functioning properly.
 

Knee replacement can significantly reduce pain and improve function. Like all surgery, there are associated risks. Our Ortho South Surgeons will discuss these with you in greater detail before surgery. Physical therapy and realistic expectations are important for successful recovery.

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Considering robotic total knee replacement? Dr. Costa is certified to perform robotic assisted total knee replacement using the ROSA robot! Click the link to learn more, or ask Dr. Costa during your consultation for more information about robotic assisted total knee replacement!