Neurology Clinics Marbella

OPERATION: …… Knee Replacement (Knee Arthroplasty) PROCEDURE: The knee is an important hinge joint and as it is weight-bearing can be prone to “wearing out”. Arthritis is painful and disabling and you and your surgeon may have decided that a knee replacement may be your best option. A knee replacement is a surgical procedure, in which the injured or damaged running surfaces of the knee are replaced with artificial parts which are secured to the bone. If you have any X-rays of your own please remember to bring them with you to the hospital. You will be seen by the surgeon before the operation. They will take this opportunity to draw (mark with a pen) on your leg. This is to make sure the correct leg is operated on. If you have any questions, this might be a good time to ask them. An anaesthetic will be administered in theatre. This may be a general anaesthetic (where you will be asleep) or a local block (e.g. where you are awake but the area to be operated is completely numbed). You must discuss this with the anaesthetist. A tight inflatable band (a tourniquet) may be placed across the top of the thigh to limit the bleeding. Your skin will be cleaned with anti-septic solution and covered with clean towels (drapes). The surgeon will make an incision (a cut) down the middle of the knee. The knee capsule (the tough, gristle-like tissue around the knee) which is then visible can be cut and the knee cap (patella) pushed to one side. From here, the surgeon can trim the ends of the thigh bone (femur) and leg bone (tibia) using a special bone saw. Some surgeons also remove the underside of the knee cap. Using measuring devices, the new artificial knee joints are fitted into position