Knee arthroplasty surgery or total knee replacement is surgery performed to remove the diseased bone of the knee joint which is then replaced with an artificial joint. It is usually performed under a combined spinal and general anaesthetic. The surgery takes approximately two hours.
An incision is made to expose the bones of the knee joint. The diseased portions of the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone) are then cut at the appropriate angles using patient specific cutting guides. Trial components are then inserted to check the accuracy of the cuts and to confirm the thickness of insert which is then placed in between the two components.
Each knee is highly individual and will vary from patient to patient. To cater for this the knee replacement implants range in size and will be chosen and matched according to each individual patient.
The permanent components are then inserted and the knee is checked again to insure everything is working correctly. The knee is then carefully closed, drains inserted and the knee dressed and bandaged.