Total knee replacement refers to a surgical procedure designed to replace the damaged knee joint with artificial materials, which are known as the prosthesis. The posterior cruciate ligament in this surgery is retained, sacrificed, or replaced with a synthetic post. Each of these knee replacement approaches has their own pros and cons.
Total knee replacement surgery is typically chosen by patients who have irreparably damaged knee joints due to trauma, progressive arthritis or other rare joint diseases. Irrespective of the cause, the continual pain and stiffness and compromised function of the knee leads many patients to seek this solution.
Remarkable and fantastic board certified orthopedic surgeons at the Knee & Shoulder Institute, Dr. Steven Thomas and Dr. Gregory Bigler, provide total knee replacement and various other procedures to patients in Las Vegas, Nevada and surrounding communities across the horizon.
Procedure Overview
A total knee replacement procedure is usually completed in about two to three hours of operative time. The procedure is complex, and will require the surgeon to make precise measurements. The damaged parts of the bone will be carefully removed in order to shape the remaining bone to accommodate the knee implant. The surgeon will build the artificial knee inside the leg, one component at a time, to create a workable artificial joint.
Surgery
The total knee replacement procedure begins with the surgeon making an incision across the front of the knee to gain access to the knee cap. The length of the incision will be pre-determined during the pre-op surgical planning in consultation with the patient.
The kneecap, called the patella, is the first part of the knee that will be exposed. Once the knee is open, the surgeon will rotate the kneecap outside the knee area. This will enable them to view the inner structures of the knee clearly. The femur or the thighbone will be first resurfaced by the surgeon. The bones will be carefully measured and precise cuts will be made using special surgical instruments.
The surgeon will remove the damaged bone and cartilage from the end of the femur. It will be then resurfaced to fit the first part of the artificial knee, the femoral component. Tibia or shinbone is the next bone that the surgeon will resurface. Damaged bone and cartilage will be cut away from the top of the tibia. The surgeon will then shape the bone to fit the metal and plastic tibial components.
The tibial tray, which is the bottom portion of the implant, will be fitted to the tibia and secured into position with the help of bone cement. Once the tray is in position, the surgeon will snap in a medical grade plastic insert to sit between the femoral component and the tibial tray and act as a buffer. This insert will support the body as the patient bends and flexes the knee.
Once the knee replacement is complete, the patella will be returned to its normal position after it has been adjusted for a proper fit with the rest of the implant. Outstanding and state of the art board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Thomas and Dr. Bigler receive patients from Las Vegas, Nevada, and nearby areas for total knee replacement.
If you would like to schedule an appointment or learn more about the Knee and Shoulder Institute procedures & treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada board certified surgeons Steven C. Thomas, MD and Gregory T. Bigler, MD. call (702) 933-9393; Physical Therapy (702) 933-9393.