Knee Replacement Education

The knee has to support the weight of the body as you run, walk, jump and climb stairs. The stress on the knee means that knees are more frequently injured than other joints.

Knee replacement surgery can make a dramatic difference for those with severely painful knee joints. More than 90 percent of individuals who have total knee replacements report significant pain relief, improved mobility and better quality of life.

In the past, patients between 60 and 75 years of age were considered to be the best candidates for total knee replacement, but improvements in artificial knee technology and surgical techniques have made knee replacement an option for both elder patients as well as younger patients.

In a traditional total knee replacement, the damaged areas of the femur, tibia and kneecap are removed and replaced with prostheses. Patients whose joint damage is limited to one area of the joint may be candidates for partial or unicompartmental replacement.