Total Knee Replacement

http://www.medicinenet.com/total_k
nee_replacement/article.htm

Total Knee Replacement OrthoInfo
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?t
opic=a00389
An Inside Look
The purpose of this brochure is to
help you become more familiar with
the anatomy of the knee as well as
understand the reasons to have, the
procedure of, and the expectancies
after total knee replacement surgery.
The anatomy of the knee will be
explained briefly, which will lead to a
brief explanation of what total knee
replacement surgery is. A brief list of
reasons to have total knee
replacement surgery will be provided.
Afterwards, the procedure of the
surgery will be described in which
there will be an explanation of what
to expect after surgery is performed.

For more information
about total knee
replacements, please
review the links provided
below.

TOTAL
KNEE
REPLACEMENT

The Process, Reasons for Having It, &
Expectations After Surgery



You are either given general anesthesia (you are put to sleep) or a
regional nerve block anesthesia (you are awake, but numb from
the waist down), and the procedure lasts between 1 to 2 hours. You
will most likely be admitted to the hospital on the day of your
surgery and be hospitalized for several days.

Surgical Procedure:
1. The bone is prepared in which the damaged cartilage
surfaces are removed along with a slim amount of
underlying bone.
2. Metal components are positioned and fitted perfectly to
the shaven surfaces of the bone.
3. Depending on the severity of the damage, the
undersurface of the patella, or kneecap, is also shaved
and resurfaced with a metal component.
4. A plastic spacer is inserted between the metal
components to provide a smooth gliding surface.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAMuP2MNqUo#t=12

What is to be expected after the surgery?
It is perfectly normal for your knee to not have the same exact
range of motion after surgery; however, it should not prohibit you
from performing daily activities, such as walking, running,
swimming, etc. Swelling and tenderness will also be expected post
(after) surgery.. You will be required to go to physical therapy,
which will assist you in earning back functional range of motion to
return to daily activities.
Reasons for Having Total Knee Replacement
Surgery
There are various reasons for proceeding with total knee replacement
surgery; however, the most common reason is arthritis, which is the
inflammation of a joint-in this case, the knee. There are three types of
arthritis:
Osteoarthritis: Age related, typically found in individuals
50 years and older; when the cartilage (flexible connective
tissue located between the bones) wears away that causes
the bones to rub against one another resulting in pain and
stiffness.
Rheumatoid arthritis: A disease in which the synovial
membrane surrounding the joint becomes inflamed and
thickened; the inflammation may damage the cartilage
resulting in cartilage loss, pain, and stiffness.
Post-traumatic arthritis: A form of arthritis developed
from a serious knee injury, which may involve the tears of
ligaments or fractures of the bone surrounding the joint.

Surgery is recommended when:
- Pain and stiffness of the knee joint interferes with daily
activities
- Moderate or severe pain persists while resting
- Inflammation does not improve with rest or medication
- Knee deformity severe bow-leg or knock-knee condition
Total Knee Replacement Surgery
What is total knee replacement surgery?
Total knee replacement surgery is a surgical procedure in which a
diseased or worn down knee joint is replaced with artificial material.
TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT
Anatomy of the Knee, TKR Procedure, & Expectations Post-Surgery
Anatomy of the Knee
Total Knee Replacement Procedure






Anatomy of the Knee
The knee joint is a hinge joint made up of the distal portion (lower end) of
the femur (thigh bone), the proximal portion (upper end) of tibia (shin bone)
and the patella (kneecap). The sections of the bones that rest on each other
are protected with articular cartilage, or a smooth surface in which
movement is enabled. Shock absorbers formally known as the menisci,
are C-shaped wedges located between the femur and tibia. Four liaments
(snterior cruciate, posterior cruciate, medial collateral, and lateral collateral)
assist in holding the femur and tibia in place as well as provide stability .
The remaining surfaces are encased by a thin lining known as a synovial
membrane, which release a fluid that lubricates the cartilage.