Total knee replacement surgery is one of the most common joint replacement procedures performed today. However, many patients still have many misconceptions about the procedure, which can result in unnecessary stress and anxiety.
This article will look at some of the critical things patients need to know about total knee replacement surgery. We’ll also explore some common reasons why patients decide to undergo the procedure in the first place.
What is total knee replacement surgery?
Total knee replacement surgery is a surgical procedure that replaces the damaged parts of the knee joint with artificial materials. It is done when the knee joint has worn out or been severely damaged by arthritis.
The knee joint consists of three bones; the thighbone (femur), shinbone (tibia), and kneecap (patella). The thigh bone connects with the shinbone at the kneecap, which has a protective cap on the end known as the patella. The knee joint also contains fluid-filled sacs and the meniscus, which act as shock absorbers between the thighbone and shinbone.
Total knee replacement surgery replaces all of these parts with artificial materials, including metal or ceramic for the knee cap, plastic for the shinbone, and plastic or metal for the thighbone. This operation involves the removal of damaged cartilage and bone, followed by the placement of artificial parts.