Total Knee Replacement

Across the United States, orthopaedic surgeons perform over 600,000 total knee replacements every year. At Artemis Health, in Torrance, Corona del Mar, and Santa Monica, California, their team of expert orthopaedic surgeons offers state-of-the-art total knee replacement procedures to restore your knees and improve your quality of life. If you have knee problems that aren’t getting better with nonsurgical treatments, call Artemis Health or request an appointment online today. 

What is a total knee replacement?

A total knee replacement is a surgical procedure to replace damaged and worn-out knee components with biocompatible metal and plastic replacement parts. Your knee is a hinge joint where your femur, tibia, and fibula meet at your patella where a complex group of tendons, ligaments, and other cushioning or connective tissue holds them together.

At Artemis Health, the orthopaedic surgeons offer total knee replacement as an outpatient procedure, so you can rest and recover in the comfort of your own home and avoid costly hospital stays. 

Why would I need a total knee replacement?

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common reasons for having a total knee replacement. When your cartilage wears away and your joint becomes inflamed and painful, your orthopedist may try nonsurgical treatments to restore your knee and alleviate your pain. However, in some cases, your condition may degenerate to the point that a total knee replacement is the best treatment option. 

Your provider may also suggest a total knee replacement to address severe rheumatoid arthritis. They might also recommend knee replacement if you develop chronic pain after a severe knee injury like a fracture or ligament tear. 

Ultimately, your orthopaedic surgeon recommends total knee replacement when you have severe knee pain or stiffness that interferes with your ability to move and your quality of life. 

What happens during a total knee replacement?

The team at Artemis Health offers several types of total knee replacement surgeries, including minimally invasive and open surgical approaches, ACL-preserving total knee replacements, and knee revision procedures. 

There are several steps in a total knee replacement. Once you are prepared for surgery, your surgeon makes an incision to access your knee joint and prepares your bones. They remove the damaged cartilage surfaces as well as a small amount of the underlying bone. 

Then, your surgeon positions your implants to re-create the surface of your joint and cements or press-fits them into the bone. Depending on your specific needs, your provider may resurface your patella. Finally, the team inserts a space to create a smooth, gliding surface to reduce friction when you bend and extend your knee joint. 

If you need an orthopaedic knee specialist to perform a total knee replacement, call Artemis Health or request an appointment online today.