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From GunGame5 Documentation

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Current revision as of 09:47, 22 May 2012

Your doctor may recommend knee replacement surgery if you have severe knee pain and disability from rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or traumatic injury. A knee replacement can relieve pain and help you live a fuller, more active life.

During the surgery, an orthopaedic surgeon will replace your damaged knee with an artificial device (implant). Although replacing the total knee joint is the most common procedure, some people can benefit from just a Partial knee replacement .

Implants are made of metal alloys, ceramic material, or strong plastic parts, and can be joined to your bone by acrylic cement. There are many different types of implants. Your surgeon will discuss with you the type of implant that best meets your needs.

Normal Knee Function

Normal knee anatomy Your knee is the largest and strongest joint in your body. The knee joint is where the lower end of your femur (thighbone) meets the upper end of your tibia (shinbone). Your patella (kneecap) sits in front of the joint to provide some protection. A healthy knee lets you move your lower leg forward and backward, and swivel slightly to point your toes in or out. Ligaments and cartilage stabilize and support the joint, preventing your knee from moving too far from side to side. Types of Designs

For simplicity, the knee is considered a hinge joint because of its ability to bend and straighten like a hinged door. In reality, the knee is much more complex because the bone surfaces actually roll and glide as the knee bends. The first implant designs used the hinge concept and included a connecting hinge between the parts. Newer implant designs recognize the complexity of the joint and more closely mimic the motion of a normal knee. Some designs preserve the patient's own ligaments, while others substitute for them. Several manufacturers make knee implants and there are more than 150 knee replacement designs on the market today. Recent developments in design include gender specific implants. A number of studies indicate that the shape and proportions of a woman's knee differ from those of a man's knee. As a result, several manufacturers have developed components for the end of the thighbone which more closely match the average woman's knee. However, there are no studies to show that gender specific implants last longer or provide better function than standard implants.