What Is Knee Replacement Surgery?

Knee replacement is a surgical procedure performed to relieve pain and restore movement in a damaged knee joint.
To understand knee replacement, it is important to first understand how a joint works. A joint is formed where two bones meet. In a healthy knee joint, the ends of these bones are covered with a smooth, protective layer called cartilage. This cartilage allows the joint to move smoothly and without friction.

What happens in arthritis?

When this cartilage gets damaged or wears out, the joint loses its smooth surface. As a result, the bones begin to rub against each other, causing pain, stiffness, swelling, and difficulty in movement. This condition is known as arthritis.

What exactly is done in knee replacement?

In knee replacement surgery, the damaged joint surfaces are replaced with artificial components made of metal and high-grade medical plastic.

• The upper bone (femur) is capped with a specially designed metal component.
• The lower bone (tibia) is covered with a flat metal surface.
• Between these two metal components, a high-quality plastic insert is placed. This acts like the natural meniscus and allows smooth, friction-free movement.

Importantly, the patient’s own bones, ligaments, and surrounding structures are preserved as much as possible. Only the worn-out joint surfaces are replaced.

How does knee replacement help?

Once the damaged surfaces are replaced:

• Friction in the joint is significantly reduced
• Pain decreases
• Joint movement improves
• Patients are able to walk and perform daily activities more comfortably

Key takeaway

Knee replacement surgery does not replace the entire knee but resurfaces the damaged parts of the joint. By restoring smooth movement, it helps patients regain mobility and improve their overall quality of life.