What is total knee replacement?

Total knee replacement is a surgical procedure in which your damaged or deformed knee joint is reshaped, resurfaced, and replaced. Knee replacement surgery, also called arthroplasty, replaces the ends of your tibia and femur with metal alloys and replaces diseased cartilage with high-grade polymers and plastics. Your new artificial knee joint moves smoothly and easily.

When should I get a total knee replacement?

Dr. Woodson only recommends knee arthroplasty if your knee pain and mobility issues don’t respond to other less invasive procedures. Total knee replacement is a major surgery and has the same risk of complications as other surgeries. You may benefit from total knee replacement if you have:

Severe osteoarthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis

Post-traumatic arthritis

Severe knee pain

Difficulty walking or climbing stairs

Knee pain even when at rest

Moderate knee deformity

You shouldn’t have total knee replacement if you have certain infections, knee instability, or a mental or neuromuscular disorder that could affect the stability of the prosthesis.