Total knee replacement (TKR) is a surgical procedure in which the worn out or damaged surfaces of the knee joint are removed and replaced with new artificial parts.
The knee is made up of – the femur (thigh bone), the tibia (shin bone), and patella (kneecap). The meniscus, a soft cartilage between the femur and tibia serves as a cushion and helps absorb shock during motion.
Arthritis (inflammation of the joints), injury, or other diseases of the joint can damage this protective layer of cartilage, causing extreme pain and difficulty in performing daily activities. Arthritis is a general term covering numerous conditions where the joint surface or cartilage wears out. In an arthritic knee
The combinations of these factors make the arthritic knee stiff and limit activities due to pain or fatigue. Your doctor may recommend TKR if non-surgical treatment options have failed to relieve the symptoms.
The goal of the surgery is to relieve pain and restore the alignment and function of your knee.
Surgery is performed under sterile conditions in the operating theatre under spinal or general anesthesia. You will be lying on your back and a tourniquet applied to your upper thigh to reduce blood loss.
Common Post-Operative guidelines include:
As with any major surgery, possible risks and complications associated with total knee replacement surgery include: