The field of knee replacement surgery is advancing very rapidly, and OrthoConnecticut’s team of specialized knee surgeons offer state-of-the-art knee replacement techniques to our patients.
Total Knee Replacement
This procedure restores function to a severely damaged knee. Most commonly, it is used to repair a knee that has been damaged by arthritis. During the procedure, the surgeon replaces the damaged portions of the knee with artificial parts. These parts consist of a metal femoral component, a metal tibial component and a plastic spacer. A small plastic patellar component may also be used.
See also Partial Knee Replacement ›
Should I be nervous about having knee replacement surgery?
Knee replacement surgery (also called knee arthroplasty) can really be considered knee-resurfacing surgery, since, unlike total hip replacement, the entire joint is not being removed. Instead, metal and plastic is used to replace the damaged ends of the bones that make up the knee joint. This rids the bone against bone arthritis that is so often causes persistent knee pain and increase mobility, allowing you to return to your normal, everyday activities. Combined with the most modern surgical and anesthetic techniques, knee replacement recovery time has greatly improved in the past few years.
Knee Replacement Implant Materials
During knee replacement surgery, the surgeon will resurface your damaged knee with artificial components, called implants. These implants are made of metal alloys, ceramic material, or strong plastic parts. Up to three bone surfaces may be replaced in a total knee replacement: Components are designed so that metal always borders with plastic, which provides for smoother movement and results in less wear of the implant. Current implant designs recognize the complexity of the joint and more closely mimic the motion of a normal knee. For example, ligaments keep the joint stable in a healthy knee. Some implant designs preserve the patient’s own ligaments, while others substitute for them.
Computer-Assisted Robotic Surgery
When full knee replacement is necessary, Danbury Orthopedics offers a patient-specific option. This involves using an MRI of the knee which is then used to create a 3-D image. This then allows the computer to generate a three-dimensional printer model of a cutting jig that is then used in the surgery to facilitate placing those components exactly where they need to go.
More about Computer-Assisted Knee Replacement ›
