When would I need a knee replacement?
Advanced osteoarthritis is the most common reason people need a knee replacement. Osteoarthritis occurs as cartilage that covers the tops of bones wears down and exposes the underlying bone.
Osteoarthritis can’t be cured and the disease causes progressive damage. Over time, the bone and joint damage become so severe that your only treatment choice is a knee replacement.
What type of knee replacement surgery will I have?
You may have one of two types of knee replacements.
Partial or unicompartmental knee replacement
The knee joint is naturally separated into three compartments. If your osteoarthritis only damages one of the compartments, your surgeon at Mid Atlantic Orthopedic Associates, LLP, can replace that one area.
Total knee replacement
If your osteoarthritis damages two or more compartments, your surgeon performs a total knee replacement, called arthroplasty, to replace the entire knee joint.
What happens during knee replacement surgery?
If you get a partial knee replacement, your surgeon removes the damaged tissues and uses a metal prosthesis to replace that compartment. The advantage of a partial replacement is that all the healthy tissues in the joint are preserved.
A total knee replacement includes three components.
Femoral component
Your surgeon replaces the end of your femur (thigh bone) by cleaning away the damaged tissues and restructuring the bone to fit the prosthesis. Then they place a femoral prosthesis over the bone.
The femoral component is a metal piece that covers the top of the bone and curves over the front and back to restore the natural shape of your femur.
Tibial component
Your surgeon removes the top of the tibia (shin bone), getting rid of damaged tissues and creating a flat area for the prosthesis. The tibial prosthesis has a stem that your surgeon inserts into the center of the tibia. Then they attach a flat metal piece to the stem and put a piece of plastic on top of the metal.
Patellar component
After resurfacing the underside of your patella (kneecap), your surgeon covers it with a plastic liner that allows smooth movement of the bones.
