Total Knee Replacement

Normal Knee anatomy The knee is the largest joint in a human body and is central to nearly every routine activity. The knee is classified as a pivotal hinge joint, meaning it can straighten and bend in one direction while it allows some twisting to occur. This is known as flexion and extension; you will often hear your surgeons refer to this while discussing about your knee. Movements at the knee joint are essential to everyday life such as walking, climbing stairs, standing and sitting. Because it is such an integral part of normal daily routine, the knee is often susceptible to injuries and arthritis. The knee joint is formed by the ends of 3 bones: Lower end of the thigh bone, or femur Upper end of the shin bone, or tibia Kneecap, or patella Thick, tough tissue bands called ligaments connect the bones and stabilize the joint. A smooth, plastic like lining called cartilage covers the ends of the bones and prevents them from rubbing against each other, allowing for flexible and nearly frictionless movement. Cartilage also serves as a shock absorber, cushioning bones from the forces acting between them. Finally, a soft tissue called synovium lines the joint and produces a lubricating fluid that reduces friction and thus wear. Knee Deformities Each patient is unique, and can experience knee pain for different reasons. Osteoarthritis: The leading cause of knee pain is osteoarthritis (OA). OA is sometimes called as degenerative arthritis because it is a “wearing out” condition involving the breakdown of cartilage associated with the joint. When cartilage wears away, the bones rub against each other, causing significant pain, stiffness and swelling. Trauma or direct injury to the knee can also cause osteoarthritis. Without cartilage there is little shock absorption between the bones in a joint. This allows stress to build up in the bones, which further contributes to pain. Rheumatoid Arthritis: Another common cause of knee pain is rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA produces chemical changes in the lining of the joints, or synovium, which causes it to become thickened and inflamed. In turn, the synovial fluid destroys cartilage. The end result is cartilage loss, pain, and stiffness.