| A total knee replacement is a surgical procedure whereby the diseased knee joint is replaced with artificial material. |
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During a total knee replacement, the end of the thigh bone (femur) is removed and replaced with a metal shell. The end of the lower leg bone (tibia) is also removed and replaced with a channelled plastic piece with a metal stem. Depending on the condition of the kneecap portion of the knee joint, a plastic button may also be added under the surface of the kneecap.
The posterior cruciate ligament is a tissue that normally stabilises each side of the knee joint so that the lower leg cannot slide backward in relation to the thigh bone. In total knee replacement surgery, this ligament is either retained, sacrificed or substituted by a polyethylene post.
Each of these various designs of total knee replacement has its benefits and risks.
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