Overview
The knee is a type of hinge joint formed by the tibia (shinbone), femur (thighbone), and patella (kneecap). The ends of the bones in the knee joint are covered with cartilage, a tough, lubricating tissue that helps provide smooth, pain-free motion to the joint.
Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, is a wear and tear condition that destroys joint cartilage, and it typically develops after years of constant motion and pressure in the joints. As the cartilage continues to wear away, bone begins to rub against bone, causing the irritation, swelling, stiffness, and discomfort commonly associated with arthritis.
Conservative Treatment Options
There are a number of non-surgical, or conservative, treatment options for osteoarthritis and other forms of arthritis. Typically, non-surgical options start with gentle exercise and physical therapy. As the arthritis becomes more painful and limiting, the non-surgical treatment options become more involved.
Surgery, including joint replacement, is generally only recommended after all other conservative treatment options fail to provide relief. Your doctor at Westlake Orthopaedics will help you develop a plan that will best fit your specific condition.
Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy uses tiny instruments inserted into the joint through small punctures. Damaged tissue can be removed or repaired within the joint providing relief from both pain and swelling while possibly preventing further damage to the knee.
Microfracture Arthroplasty
Microfracture arthroplasty uses an arthroscope to drill small holes into the exposed bone. The holes are designed to encourage cartilage to grow. This procedure is reserved for small areas of damage.
Healthy Knee
Partial Knee Arthritis
Total Knee Arthritis
Partial Knee Replacement
The knee is composed of three separate compartments. Osteoarthritis sometimes develops in only one compartment of the knee, while the other two compartments remain relatively healthy. Patients who have osteoarthritis in only one compartment may be candidates for partial knee replacement.
The advantage of a partial knee is that it resurfaces only the damaged cartilage of the knee, preserving the undamaged cartilage. The benefits of this procedure include a smaller incision, a quicker recovery, and less bone removal. The disadvantages are that partial knee surgery may not last as long as total joint replacement surgery. You and your surgeon will determine if a partial knee is appropriate for you.
Total Knee Replacement
Your surgeon may recommend knee replacement surgery if you have significant arthritis. Surgeons don't actually replace the joint as is commonly thought. Actually he replaces the damaged cartilage found at the ends of the bones in your knee joint. Perhaps it should be called "cartilage replacement surgery."
Knee replacement implants to resurface the joint are typically made from metal alloy and polyethylene (plastic). The implants are designed to restore function and eliminate as much discomfort as possible while allowing you to return to a more active lifestyle.
Rehabilitation and walking begin the day after surgery, and the hospital stay is normally 3 to 4 days. Therapy will begin in the hospital and usually continues after discharge for approximately 6 to 12 weeks.
Knee Replacement surgery has been extremely successful in helping patients with arthritis return to their normal activities and relieve their discomfort.
Partial Knee Replacement
Complete Knee Replacement
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*All literature found within this article has been abridged from the following sources:
