Patient Information Leaflet

What is a total knee replacement?
A total knee replacement is a surgical procedure whereby the diseased knee joint is
replaced with artificial material. The knee is a hinge joint which provides motion at the point
where the thigh meets the lower leg. The thighbone (or femur) abuts the large bone of the
lower leg (tibia) at the knee joint. During a total knee replacement, the end of the femur is
removed and replaced with a metal shell. The end of the lower leg bone (tibia) is also
removed and replaced with a metal tray with a stem. A layer of specialised polyethylene is
then place between the two metal components. Depending on the condition of the kneecap
portion of the knee joint, a plastic “button” may also be added under the kneecap surface.
The artificial components of a total knee replacement are referred to as the prosthesis.
The posterior cruciate ligament is a tissue that normally stabilizes each side of the knee joint
so that the lower leg cannot slide backward in relation to the thighbone. 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. It can take up to a year to realise the full benefit of the operation.

Which patients should consider a total knee replacement?
Total knee replacement surgery is considered for patients whose knee joints have been
damaged by either progressive arthritis, trauma, or other rare destructive diseases of the
joint. The most common reason for knee replacement in the UK is osteoarthritis of the
knees.

Regardless of the cause of the damage to the joint, the resulting progressively increasing
pain and stiffness and decreasing daily function can lead the patient to consider total knee
replacement. Decisions regarding whether or when to undergo knee replacement surgery
are not easy. Patients should understand the risks as well as the benefits before making
these decisions.

What is a partial knee replacement?
Osteoarthritis doesn’t always affect all areas of the knee. The most commonly affected area
is the inner aspect of the knee due to the alignment of human leg. If the other areas are not
damaged, the knee has a good range of movement and the anterior cruciate ligament is
intact, then a patient can be considered for a partial replacement. The operation is
performed through a much less invasive incision. Less commonly the outer aspect of the
knee or the area under the knee cap are affected in isolation.

The recovery is usually much quicker than with a total knee replacement and the implants
are designed to last as long as a total knee replacement

What are the risks of undergoing a total or partial knee replacement?
The risks of a total knee replacement include blood clots (deep vein thrombosis) in the legs
that can travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism). Pulmonary embolism can cause
shortness of breath, chest pain and can even cause death. To help prevent this a variety of
measures are undertaken. These include wearing compression stockings, using pumps on
the feet and lower legs until you are walking and also the use of blood thinning medication.
There can also be chronic knee pain and stiffness, bleeding into the knee joint, nerve
damage, blood vessel injury, and infection of the knee which can require reoperation.
Furthermore, the risks of anaesthesia include potential heart, lung, kidney, and liver damage.

How long do the implants last?
Both partial and total knee replacements are designed to last for up to 10-15 years. They
have been shown to last longer than this in some published studies. They are designed to
withstand the stresses and strains of normal day to day activities. If a patient goes running or
plays impact sports such as tennis and squash, then the implant may wear out more quickly
and there may be a need to perform revision ( re-do ) knee replacement surgery. The results
of revision knee replacement surgery tend not be as good as the first surgery.

What type of anaesthetic is used?
Knee replacement surgery is commonly performed under spinal anaesthesia but can be
performed under a general anaesthetic using nerve blocks to help with pain control after the
operation. You may be prescribed a morphine pump that you have control of for the first 24
hours.