Total Knee Replacement What is Knee Replacement Surgery?

What Are The Most Common Types Of Knee Replacement Surgery? There are two most common types of knee replacement surgery which include: Total Knee Replacement Partial Knee Replacement or Unicompartmental Replacement Most knee replacement surgeries target the whole knee joint, called a total knee replacement. But some people opt for a partial knee replacement. In order to understand the difference, we should first know the three compartments or sections of the knee: Medial (Inside) Lateral (Outside) Patellofemoral/anterior (Under the kneecap) While a total knee replacement addresses all three sections, the partial knee replacement fixes a single section. Usually, only young adults with symptoms in just one knee section opt for a partial replacement. Taking into account the condition of the knee and the patient’s general health, an orthopaedic surgeon will help in choosing the best option. Who Should Get Knee Replacement Surgery? People suffering from the following conditions should get a knee replacement surgery: A knee injury or arthritis in the knee that has badly damaged the mating surfaces of the joint. Swelling and inflammation that does not go away with rest and medicines. If the knee is deformed, such as not shaped normally or looking swollen Pain and stiffness which gives trouble doing routine activities like getting in and out of bed or climbing the stairs What Happens Before Knee Replacement Surgery? Once the patient and surgeon decide to go ahead with knee replacement surgery, they may require: Blood tests Physical examination to ensure that the patient is healthy enough for surgery Dental exam to help reduce infection risk from surgery ECG (Electrocardiogram) to ensure that the patient’s heart is strong enough for the surgery.