Total Knee Replacement
A knee replacement is surgery to replace all or some of your knee joint. It’s a type of procedure called an arthroplasty (joint replacement).
A surgeon will remove damaged parts of your natural knee joint and replace them with an artificial joint (a prosthesis) made of metal and plastic.
Your surgeon will recommend either a total or partial knee replacement:
- Total knee replacement: Total knee replacement is the most common type of knee replacement.
- Partial knee replacement: A partial knee replacement is just what it sounds like. Partial knee replacements are more common in younger adults who’ve experienced an injury or trauma.
Types of knee replacement
Your surgeon will recommend either a total or partial knee replacement:
Total knee replacement: Total knee replacement is the most common type of knee replacement. Your surgeon will replace all three areas of your knee joint — the inside (medial), outside (lateral) and under your kneecap (patellofemoral).
Partial knee replacement:A partial knee replacement is just what it sounds like. Your surgeon will only replace some areas of your knee joint — usually if only one or two areas are damaged. Partial knee replacements are more common in younger adults who’ve experienced an injury or trauma.
What conditions are treated with a knee replacement?
A healthcare provider might recommend knee replacement if you have severe symptoms that don’t get better after trying nonsurgical treatments, including:
- Joint pain
- Stiffness
- Limited mobility (trouble moving your knee)
- Swelling
Arthritis is the most common condition that causes people to need knee replacement surgery. Most people who choose to have a knee replacement have osteoarthritis, but some people with rheumatoid arthritis may need one, too.
It’s rare, but a healthcare provider might suggest knee replacement if you’ve experienced a bone fracture in your knee that causes post-traumatic arthritis after you’ve experienced a:
- Car accident
- Fall
- Sports injury
How common is knee replacement surgery?
Knee replacements are one of the most common types of arthroplasties. Surgeons in the U.S. perform more than 850,000 knee replacements each year.
How long does a knee replacement take?
Knee replacements usually take an hour or two.
What does a knee replacement look like?
The prosthetic parts your surgeon will use during a knee replacement will look very similar to your original knee. Instead of bone and cartilage, the prosthetic joint is made of metal and plastic. It’s made to replicate the shape, size and function of a natural knee joint.
What happens after a knee replacement?
After surgery, you’ll be moved to a recovery room. Your surgery team will keep an eye on you for a few hours to make sure you wake up from the anesthesia without complications. They’ll also monitor your vital signs and pain level.
Some people who have knee replacement surgery go home the same day. You might need to stay in the hospital overnight. Your surgeon will tell you when it’s safe for you to go home.
