Total Knee Replacement Total knee replacement is indicated for the treatment of endstage arthritis of the knee.
Arthritis can result in pain, loss of motion and limited ability to walk.
A knee replacement removes the arthritis from the knee and replaces the surfaces of the knee joint with a metal and a plastic bearing surface. The metal is usually made from chrome or titanium, and the plastic is made from polyethylene. The metal and plastic portions of the joint are held to the bone with cement which acts as a grout to hold the artificial components in place, allowing weight bearing and restoration of motion in the knee. The ligaments shown in the diagram on the left are important in providing stability to the knee and are protected during the knee replacement surgery. The lower diagram shows the knee replacement from the side.