About Total Knee Replacement

Overview
Total knee surgery removes the damaged and painful areas of the femur (thigh bone) and the tibia (lower leg bone).  These areas are then replaced with specially designed metal and polyethylene plastic parts.

Step 1
The orthopaedic surgeon cuts away the damaged portions of the femur bone and cartilage.  The end of the femur bone is reshaped to allow a metal femoral component to fit in place.

Step 2
The surgeon attaches the metal component to the end of the femur using bone cement.

Step 3
Then the surgeon removes the damaged area of the tibia bone and cartilage.  The tibia end is reshaped to receive the metal tibial component.

Step 4
The metal part for the tibia is secured to the end of the tibia bone using bone cement.

Step 5
The surgeon attaches a polyethylene insert to the metal tibial component.  The insert will support the body’s weight and allow the femur to move over the tibia, just like the tibia’s original cartilage used to do.

Step 6
The tibia, with its new polyethylene surface, and the femur, with its new metal part,  are put together to form a new knee joint.

Step 7
To make sure the patella, or knee cap, glides smoothly over the new artificial knee, its rear surface is prepared to receive a polyethylene plastic component, which is also cemented into place.

End of Procedure
The new parts of the knee joint are tested by flexing and extending the knee.