Total Knee Replacement

In a total knee replacement, the surgeon removes the diseased surface of the knee joint and replaces it with metal and a dense, wear-resistant polymer (plastic). It is called a "total" knee replacement because it replaces ALL of the joint surfaces, as opposed to a "partial" knee replacement where only select areas of damage joint surface are replaced. Although all of the surfaces are replaced, only 9-10mm of bone are actually removed around the knee, and this can actually be thought of as "resurfacing" the entire knee. The remaining structural bone around the knee is left untouched.