How Do Knee Joint Replacements Work?

During a total knee replacement, a surgeon removes the damaged cartilage and bones that make up your knee joint and replaces them with plastic and metal components.

Indications

• Knee joint replacements are recommended for people whose osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or traumatic arthritis has caused severe joint damage leading to pain, deformity or disability that interferes with daily activities.

Features

• There are three components to a total knee joint replacement: a metal piece that replaces the bottom of your femur (upper leg bone), a durable plastic piece that replaces the top of your tibia (lower leg bone), and a plastic component that replaces your patella (kneecap).

Function

• After surgery, you'll have a new knee joint with metal and plastic components that work just like your own bone did when it was healthy and before bone damage caused pain and disability.

Significance

• According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 90 percent of the people who have a total knee replacement report a dramatic improvement in their knee pain and a significant improvement in their ability to carry out everyday activities. However, the surgery won't enable you to do things you couldn't do before developing arthritis.

Tip

• To protect your new joint, you'll be advised to avoid jogging and high-impact sports for the rest of your life.