What is a total knee replacement?
A total knee replacement is really a cartilage replacement, replacing the damaged cartilage with an artificial surface. The knee itself is not replaced, as is commonly thought, but rather metal is inserted on the end of the bones, the femur and the tibia. A plastic spacer goes between the tibia and femur. A plastic lining is placed on the back of the kneecap. This creates a new smooth cushion and a functioning joint that does not hurt. A more accurate name for a total knee replacement is total knee resurfacing. Before: Raw bone rubbing on raw bone. After: The prosthesis creates a smooth, pain-free surface.
A total knee replacement is really a cartilage replacement with an artificial surface. The knee itself is not replaced, as is commonly thought, but rather an artificial substitute for the cartilage is inserted on the end of the bones. This is done with a metal alloy on the femur and plastic spacer on the tibia and kneecap (patella). This creates a new, smooth cushion and a functioning joint that does not hurt.
A total knee replacement is really a bone and cartilage replacement with an artificial surface. The knee itself is not replaced, as is commonly thought, but rather an implant is inserted on the bone ends. This is done with a metal alloy on the femur and plastic spacer on the tibia and patella (kneecap). This creates a new, smooth cushion and a functioning joint that can reduce or eliminate pain.
A total knee replacement is really a cartilage replacement with an artificial surface. The knee itself is not replaced, as is commonly thought, but rather an artificial substitute for the cartilage is inserted on the end of the bones. This is done with a metal alloy on the femur and plastic spacer on the tibia and kneecap (patella). This creates a new smooth cushion and a functioning joint that does not hurt.
