Conditions and types of knee replacement surgery

If you're dealing with Osteoarthritis, you're not alone. This common condition often develops as you age, making your knee painful and stiff. You might notice it's becoming harder to move around and complete everyday tasks that used to be simple.¹

If you’re dealing with Rheumatoid Arthritis, your immune system is mistakenly attacking your own joints, causing inflammation, pain, and swelling.² When other treatments haven't given you the relief you need, knee replacement can be an excellent option to consider.

Have you suffered a knee injury in the past? Post-Traumatic Arthritis can develop following an injury to your knee. Sometimes it resolves on its own, but it can become chronic, affecting about 12% of people with osteoarthritis. Your previous injury may have led to long-term changes in how your knee functions.³

With Avascular Necrosis, you might not notice symptoms initially, but as it progresses, you'll likely experience constant knee pain and stiffness. This happens when bone tissue dies due to loss of blood supply – perhaps from an injury, cancer treatment, steroid use, or in some cases, obesity.⁶

If you have been told you have knee alignments like knock knees or bowlegs these alignments can cause pain and limited mobility. Knee replacement surgery can help correct these issues when they're affecting your quality of life.

And if you've experienced a severe knee injury – perhaps a fracture or a tear – that has caused extensive damage, knee replacement might be your best option for getting back to the activities you enjoy.

Remember, everyone's journey is different, always consult your surgeon to diagnose your condition and choose the best solution.

Types of Knee Replacement Surgery

When we're talking about knee replacement surgery, you'll generally have one of two main options to consider – partial or total knee replacement.⁴

Your orthopaedic surgeon will help determine which approach is right for you based on several factors you'll discuss during your consultation with them. Your Surgeon will look at the extent of damage to your knee, your age, your activity level (both current and what you hope to achieve), and your overall health.

You'll have the opportunity to discuss various knee implant options and choose what's best suited for your situation. These implants are made from different combinations of metals, plastics, and ceramic materials. The good news is that implant design has improved significantly over time, which means better outcomes for patients.⁵