What is knee arthroplasty?

Knee arthroplasty is a knee resurfacing procedure to address throbbing knee pain due to injury or arthritis. First performed as early as 1968, techniques used for knee arthroplasty have advanced over the years.

The knee is classified as the body’s largest joint. It is vital to maintain the health of the knees because these joints are considered a great asset for healthy living. The joint is responsible for most of the body’s movement. The knee is made of three essential bones: The bottom end of the thighbone (femur), the tip of the shinbone (tibia) and the kneecap (patella). Seamless articular cartilage covers the bone's tips, which allows for smooth gliding action. The menisci are wedge-shaped shock absorbers located in the middle of the tibia and femur; they safeguard the joint and reduce the risk of an injury.

What are the main reasons for knee arthroplasty?

When non-surgical treatments such as anti-inflammatories, medications and walking aids are ineffective in relieving pain, knee replacement surgery is the last hope for permanent pain relief.

Joint (knee) replacement surgery is a safe and efficient procedure to correct knee deformity and treat knee pain.

The knee is susceptible to damage and general wear over the years due to osteoarthritis, arthritis from a traumatic injury and rheumatoid arthritis.

How do you perform knee arthroplasty?

Also classified as knee resurfacing, knee arthroplasty is a procedure that only works on the surface of the bones. First, the damaged surfaces of the bottom of the tibia and femur are removed, as well as a fraction of the underlying bone. Next, Dr Rose recreates the surface of the knee by press-fitting or cementing metal pieces in the bone to make up for the damaged cartilage surface. Then, he uses a button made from plastic to resurface the underbelly of the patella. Depending on the case, Dr Rose may or may not resurface the patella. Finally, he inserts a plastic spacer between the metal pieces.