Understanding Knee Joint Replacement Surgery: Exploring Total Arthroplasty vs. Partial Arthroplasty

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Considering Knee Joint Replacement Surgery?

You may have already heard it referred to as arthroplasty. It is a common procedure aimed at easing pain and restoring mobility for people with severe joint damage due to conditions like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. 

Types of Knee Joint Replacement

Did you know there are different types of joint replacement surgeries? 

Total Knee Replacement

This involves replacing the whole damaged joint with a prosthetic one. It is typically done when the damage is extensive and affects the entire joint. For example, in total knee arthroplasty, both the femur and tibia are replaced with artificial components, along with the kneecap if necessary. 

Partial Knee Replacement

This procedure only fixes the damaged parts while keeping the healthy parts intact. It’s a quicker option and might preserve more of your natural joint. This approach is suitable for people with localized joint damage. 

Choosing the Right Option

The choice between total and partial knee replacement depends on factors such as the extent of joint damage, overall health, and lifestyle preferences. Talking to an orthopedic surgeon is essential to determine the best option for you. 

Knee Anatomy 

medical illustration of anatomy of the knee

The knee is the body’s largest joint and is made up of four main structures: bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. 

  • Bones: The femur, tibia, and patella form the knee joint, with the patella providing protection. 

 

  • Articular Cartilage: Covers the ends of the femur, tibia, and patella, allowing smooth movement. 

 

  • Meniscus: Two tough, rubbery cartilage pieces act as shock absorbers and stabilize the joint. 

 

  • Ligaments: Connect bones and stabilize the knee, including collateral ligaments (side-to-side motion) and cruciate ligaments (front-to-back motion). 

 

  • Tendons: Connect muscles to bones, with the quadriceps tendon linking thigh muscles to the patella and the patellar tendon connecting the patella to the tibia. 

 

Whether it’s total or partial, knee joint replacement surgery can significantly improve the lives of people dealing with severe joint pain. It’s all about getting back to feeling good and living life to the fullest! 

Your Path to Pain Relief

If you are tired of spending countless hours researching options for knee pain, click here to take our knee assessment. You will spend minutes, not hours, finding the right specialist for your needs.  

 

Let Vitruvy streamline your healthcare journey, so you can focus on what matters most.