90 Uralba St, Lismore NSW

Total Knee Replacement surgery

Total Knee Replacement may be considered as a surgical treatment option for those patients experiencing ongoing and deteriorating knee pain and loss of knee function. The aim of a total knee replacement is to minimise knee pain, improve knee function, improve quality of life, allow you to return to the activities that you enjoy and improve varus (bow-legged) or valgus (knock-kneed) deformities.

One of the most common reasons for ongoing pain and difficulties with function (such as walking, climbing stairs, sitting for long periods or pain when lying down) is arthritis of the knee joint. Arthritis of the knee joint can cause severe knee pain with activities of daily living, moderate or severe knee pain when resting and inflammation of the knee joint. There are many types of arthritis of the knee, the most common being osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and post traumatic arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is degenerative arthritis and is common in people over the age of fifty. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage of the knee joint wears away. The cartilage provides cushioning of the joint and if worn away leaves the bones of the knee joint to rub together, causing knee pain and stiffness.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease where the lining of the knee joint becomes thickened and inflamed. The inflammation in the joint can wear away the cartilage causing chronic pain and stiffness. 

Post traumatic arthritis occurs after a severe injury to the knee such as a fracture or tears to the ligaments of the knee joint. This may cause damage to the knee cartilage over time causing knee pain and stiffness.

A total knee replacement procedure involves the removal of the damaged cartilage and bone within the knee joint replacing it with a prosthesis. The prosthesis has three components, a femoral component, a tibial component and a patella component. The femoral component is metal (cobalt chromium alloy) and shaped to fit the contour of the end of your femur (thigh bone). The tibial component is also made of the same metal alloy and is flat with a stem underneath. The tibial component sits on top of your tibia (shin bone).  Both the femoral and tibial components are anchored to the bone by a special bone cement. A plastic (polyethylene) liner sits on top of the tibial component to provide cushioning in the same way in that the cartilage in the knee did. The polyethylene liner provides the bearing in which the femoral component glides against. The patella component comprises of a polyethylene button that is cemented to the undersurface of the patella.

Making the decision regarding proceeding to a total knee replacement is a collaborative one between the patient, general practitioner and your orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Prodger. The patient is able to make an informed choice to proceed following a thorough discussion of the benefits of surgery and the risks of surgery. 

Frequently Asked Questions