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What Happens During a Total Knee Replacement Surgery?

What Happens During a Total Knee Replacement Surgery?

What happens during a total knee replacement surgery? Dr. Daniel Albright of Raleigh Orthopedic Clinic talks about what to expect during a total knee replacement surgery. Dr. Albright uses models to explain this highly successful procedure step-by-step.

Summary of video:

(Video uses models which visually help explain the procedure)

Today we’re going to talk about total knee replacements what happens during surgery.

It’s a big operation. The incision is roughly a 10-12 inches long on the front middle of the knee. This incision exposes the knee joint easily. Knee replacement surgery removes the worn or damaged parts of the knee joint with metal or plastic parts.

The femur is the thigh bone. About a quarter-inch of bone is taken off the end of the femur. A cobalt chromium metal cap is cemented or glued in its place

The next thing is to remove a quarter inch off the tibia and cement on it another metal piece. This piece is a baseplate with a little stem that goes down into the bone. Then a piece of plastic is placed between the two. The plastic replaces the cartilage. That goes between the two pieces of metal.

The last part of the procedure is the kneecap, the patella. Most patients keep the patella, most of it, but the surgeon shaves the under surface off. A plastic button is glued in its place so when the procedure is done everything moves as a unit and moves like a hinged joint like your normal joint.

It’s very important to get the knee replacement parts the proper tension or tightness and balance of the ligaments and then the knee joint should be straight. A lot of patients start with bowed legs, knocked knees or crooked legs and when they’re done the knee is straight and has a full range of motion.

For more information on total knee replacements, contact Dr. Dan Albright at 919-863-6808.

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