| Undergoing surgery is not something that anyone looks | | | | When bones become degenerative it is most |
| forward to. Sometimes people will learn to live with | | | | commonly associated to osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis, |
| pain rather than going under the knife to repair any | | | | also referred to as "wear and tear" arthritis is common |
| damage but when it comes to your mobility it's never a | | | | in older patients and is caused by aging joints, obesity |
| good idea to wait. Total knee replacement becomes | | | | and prior injuries. Symptoms associated with |
| necessary when the patient's mobility is hampered and | | | | osteoarthritis are joint pain and stiffness and |
| typically more damaged is caused when arthritic | | | | decreased mobility. Weight loss can improve |
| conditions are ignored. This is especially true for female | | | | osteoarthritis and has been shown to decrease |
| patients. It is thought that women can bear more pain | | | | symptoms. |
| than men so they wait longer to consider surgery. | | | | What to expect after Surgery |
| What is a total knee replacement? | | | | After undergoing a total knee replacement, patients |
| A total knee replacement is a surgical procedure that | | | | are instructed by their physician to under go physical |
| replaces the ends of the damaged femur (thigh bone) | | | | therapy to strengthen the surrounding muscles and |
| and the tibia (shin bone) and creates a smooth knee | | | | ligaments. Depending on the amount of trauma, |
| joint. The prosthetic components are made from metal | | | | rehabilitation time will vary in patients. Rehabilitation is |
| or plastic and are secured to the bone with cement. | | | | extensive but is necessary in the process. It is very |
| Depending on the extent of the damage, a partial knee | | | | important to manage weight gain because one of the |
| replacement or uni-compartmental replacement can be | | | | contributing factors to osteoarthritis is obesity. |
| done in which only a portion of the joint is replaced. | | | | Throughout the recovery process it is vital to maintain |
| (The knee is comprised of three compartments). | | | | constant communication with your doctor. |
| What causes degeneration in the knee joint? | | | | |