Total Knee Replacement
During total knee replacement (also called total knee arthroplasty), Dr. Plummer makes a small incision on the front of the knee, along the kneecap to reveal the knee joint and arthritic degenerative bone on the end of the thigh bone, top of the shin bone and undersurface of the kneecap. While preserving the soft tissues around the knee, Dr. Plummer removes the arthritic bone from the end of the thigh bone, top of the shin bone, and undersurface of the kneecap.
Once complete, Dr. Plummer then uses sizer tools in increments of millimeters to measure the patient’s bone and determine the perfect-fit total knee components. Once the optimal sizes are determined, Dr. Plummer attaches the final metal components to the bone. He then places a special type of plastic liner, called highly-crosslinked polyethylene, between the metal components of the knee replacement. This plastic liner acts as cartilage and facilitates smooth and fluid movement of the knee.
In many patients, a robotic knee replacement may be an option. To learn more, click here.
Total Knee Replacement X-Ray