Total Knee Replacement
What Is A Total Knee Replacement?
A total knee replacement, also known as a knee arthroplasty, is an orthopaedic procedure where only the surface of the bones are replaced. The process for a knee replacement includes preparing the bone, positioning the metal implants, resurfacing of the patella and insertion of a medical-grade plastic spacer to create a smooth gliding surface.
Is A Total Knee Replacement Right For Me?
Consult with your family physician or your orthopaedic surgeon to determine if you are a good candidate for a total knee replacement.
Patients of all ages have benefited from total knee replacements from young teenagers with juvenile arthritis to elderly patients with degenerative arthritis. Candidates for a total knee replacement are based on a patient’s pain and disability. Patients aged 50 to 80 typically undergo this procedure but surgeons evaluate patients on an individual basis.
When Is Surgery Recommended?
Your physician may recommend a total knee replacement for several reasons. Patients who benefit from a total knee replacement normally have the following symptoms:
- Knee pain or stiffness that is severe in nature and limits your activities of daily living.
- Moderate or severe knee pain while resting
- Chronic knee inflammation and swelling
- Knee deformity
- Failed improvement with treatments such as anti-inflammatory medications, injections, therapy or other surgical procedures.
At the Bethesda Orthopaedic Institute, our team of experienced orthopaedic surgeons are here to help you get back to living! Visit our Find a Physician page to locate an orthopaedic surgeon on our Medical Staff.