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Knee Surgery Options go back to the surgery options menu ArthroscopyArthroscopy uses tiny instruments inserted into the joint through small punctures. Damaged tissue can be removed or repaired within the joint providing relief from both pain and swelling while possibly preventing further damage to the knee. Total Joint Replacement- Replacing the Cartilage Your surgeon may recommend joint replacement surgery if you have significant arthritis. Surgeons don't actually replace the joint as is commonly thought. Your surgeon actually replaces the damaged cartilage found at the ends of the bones in your knee joint. Perhaps it should be called "cartilage replacement surgery." Joint replacement implants to resurface the joint are typically made from metal alloy and polyethylene (plastic). The implants are designed to restore function and eliminate as much discomfort as possible while allowing you to return to a more active lifestyle. Rehabilitation and walking begin the day after surgery, and the hospital stay is normally 3 to 4 days. Therapy will begin in the hospital and usually continues after discharge for approximately 6 to 12 weeks. Joint Replacement surgery of the knee has been extremely successful in helping patients with arthritis return to their normal activities and relieve their discomfort. Unicondylar Knee Replacement The knee is composed of three separate compartments. The term uni means one. Osteoarthritis sometimes develops in only one compartment of the knee, while the other two compartments remain relatively healthy. Patients who have osteoarthritis in only one compartment may be candidates for a unicompartmental knee. The advantage of a unicompartmental knee is that it resurfaces only the damaged cartilage of the knee, preserving the undamaged cartilage. The benefits of this procedure include a smaller incision (3,4 inches), a quicker recovery, and less bone removal. The disadvantages are that unicompartmental knee surgery may not last as long as total joint replacement surgery. You and your surgeon will determine if a unicompartmental knee is appropriate for you. Rebuilding Cartilage In some patients, a pothole occurs in the joint cartilage on the end of the bone. Various methods may be used to try to correct this problem. The following methods are used primarily for young patients with moderate or isolated cartilage injury. Microfracture arthroplasty Microfracture arthroplasty uses an arthroscope to drill small holes into the exposed bone. The holes are designed to encourage cartilage to grow. This procedure is reserved for small areas of damage. Direct Cartilage Transplantation Direct cartilage transportation takes healthy cartilage and moves it to a damaged area of cartilage. This procedure is reserved for younger patients with small defects, not for patients with significant arthritis. Growing Cartilage Cartilage cells can be harvested during an arthroscopic procedure and then grown in a lab for later transplantation. These cells are then implanted into the defect. Again, this procedure is reserved for younger patients with small defects, not for patients with significant arthritis. |