Knee Surgery Information


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There was a total of 75,629 total-knee replacement surgeries carried out in England and Wales in 2008. Compare this to 68 654 in 2007 it is clear that the number of surgeries is going to increase. Replacements are expected to last up to 15 years for most of the patients receiving the operation in 2008 (5). As the population life expectancy increases it is possible that a patient will require a another knee replacement whch is much more complex procedure with varying results (6). Therefore any research that can help improve the life expectancy of the replacement which could significantly help reduce costs and also reduce the stress that patients have to endure with additional surgery.

Knee after surgery [7]


Knee Replacement Surgeries


The knee replacement surgery involves replacing the damaged parts of knee with long wearing, corrosion free man-made components. They consist of titanium parts that replace the bone and low friction plastic that acts as cartilage.  A diagram of a replacement joint can be seen in the first image of this page. A Total Knee Replacement surgery, also known as total knee anthrosplasty, consists of:
  1. Accessing knee joint and assess damage
  2. Shape both Tibia and Femur to titanium replacement components.
  3. Attach metal components with bone cement and secure in correct place
  4. Attach plastic plate to tibia component to act as cartilage for the knee
  5. Shape plastic component for internal side of patella
  6. Ensure that components are fitted correctly and that knee has normal movement.



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