What is knee replacement surgery?
If you need knee surgery, whether it be an arthroscopic knee surgery, reconstructive knee surgery, or a partial or total knee replacement, Phoenix Orthopedic Group Surgeons are highly trained, experienced physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of the musculoskeletal system, including the knee. The most often treated site by orthopedic surgeons is the knee. The knee is vulnerable to more injuries for different reasons. It may be treated non-surgically, however more severe injuries to the knee could require reconstructive or arthroscopic knee surgery for correction. If your knee is severely damaged by arthritis or injury, it may be hard for you to perform simple activities such as walking or climbing stairs. You may even begin to feel pain while youre sitting or lying down. If medications, changing your activity level, and using walking supports are no longer helpful, you may want to consider partial or total knee replacement surgery. By resurfacing your knees
In total knee replacement surgery, the parts of the bones that rub together are resurfaced with metal and plastic implants. Using special, precision instruments, your surgeon will typically remove the damaged surfaces of all three bones—the thighbone (femur), the shinbone (tibia), and the kneecap (patella). The replacement surfaces will then be fixed into place. The surface of the femur is replaced with a rounded metal component that comes very close to matching the curve of your natural bone. The surface of the tibia is replaced with a smooth plastic component. This flat metal component holds a smooth plastic piece made of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene plastic that serves as the cartilage. The undersurface of the kneecap may also be replaced with an implant made of the same polyethylene plastic.
