is made up of 3 compartments, the patellofemoral and medial and lateral compartments between the femur and tibia (i.e. the long bones of the leg). Often only one of these compartments wears out, usually the medial one. If you have symptoms and X-ray findings suggestive of this then you may be suitable for this procedure.

During total knee replacement, surgeons typically make a 7 to 8-inch incision over the knee, patients stay in the hospital for approximately four days, and there is a recovery period of up to three months. During minimally-invasive partial knee surgery, a part of the knee to be replaced through a small, 3-inch incision. There is minimal damage to the muscles and tendons around the knee and the required hospital stay is up to two days. The recovery period is about one month.

About 50% of patients develop clicking after total knee replacement. This is normal and there is no need to be concerned unless there is pain associated with the clicking.

Total knee replacement is a major operation. The most common complications are not directly related to the knee and usually do not affect the result of the operations. These complications include urinary tract infection, blood clots in a leg, or blood clots in a lung. Complications affecting the knee are less common, but in these cases the operation may not be as successful.

In traditional knee replacement, an approximately 10 to 12 inch skin incision is made centered over the knee. This is followed by making an incision into the quadriceps tendon above the knee, down the side of the kneecap and two inches below the joint and then the kneecap is flipped 180 degrees and off to the side (everted). The knee is then bent up to expose the bones of the knee for resurfacing with the knee prosthesis.

you recover the pain in your knee will reduce. Good proper exercise with the physiotherapist will relieve the pain you had before surgery.

A total Knee Replacement arthroplasty removes the cartilage of the knee and substitutes it with a metal and plastic joint surface. The nerves in the joint are removed as well. The joint is grouted in place with bone cement. Done at this later age, the bones are softer and the muscles are weaker and hence the new joint can work for significant periods of time. If the surgery is done at an earlier age, it is likely that it will not be able to last more than 5 years at a time.

It is a metal and plastic covering for raw, arthritic bone ends. It replaces cartilage that has worn away over the years. Knee replacement can eliminate pain and allow you to move easily with less discomfort. For those that have become bow-legged or knock-kneed over the years, it can also straighten your legs to a more natural position.

I can't possibly recommend the best course of action for any other person. I have no medical training at all — I'm just a fellow patient who has been through the experience. I do have some words of advice, however. Pick a doctor that you trust and then follow his or her recommendation. After all, if you don't trust your doctor explicitly, why would you let him cut you open? Secondly, do your homework.

Orthopedic implants are usually not affected by an MRI even if they are ferromagnetic (iron) because they are imbedded in the bone. (Many orthopedic implants are now made of titanium, which is nonmagnetic.)

If pain is preventing you from walking or performing daily activities and conservative measures have failed to give you adequate relief, it may be time to discuss total knee replacement surgery with your orthopaedic surgeon.