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Procedure Information
- Knee Replacement
- PCL Reconstruction
- ACL Reconstruction
- Patellofemoral Reconstruction
- High Tibial Osteotomy
- Femoral Osteotomy
- Arthroscopic Knee Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
Total Knee Replacement
Knee arthritis has many causes and contributing conditions. Frequently, progressive deformity, stiffness and pain is the result. Knee replacement surgery, or more accurately, knee resurfacing surgery, replaces worn surfaces with plastic and metal. The femoral replacement is a smooth metal component, which fits snugly over the end of the bone. The tibial replacement is in two parts, a metal base sitting on the bone and a plastic insert, which sits between the metal base on the tibial and femoral component. If necessary the patellar surface (under the knee cap) is replaced with a plastic button, which glides over the metal surface of the femoral replacement.
What is involved in a Total Knee Replacement?
To be able to replace the surface of the knee joint an incision is made down the front of the knee and the joint opened. The bony overgrowth, which commonly occurs in arthritis of the knee, is trimmed away and the joint surfaces removed. This involves some shaping of the bone so that the joint replacement components sit firmly on the bone. In the replacements now being used the bone then grows into the roughened surfaces of the replacement, anchoring it down. In addition, bone cement is used to hold the components in place.
What is "Computer Navigation" and is this Necessary?
Dr. Lyman uses both computer assistance and traditional techniques for total knee replacement. Traditional techniques use metal rods to estimate the correct position of bone cuts and leg alignment. Computer navigation uses a monitor and a computer to assist with positioning and sizing implants. In general, it is our belief that the results of knee arthroplasty are more reliable with the assistance of computer navigation technology.
Scottsdale, AZ 85255