The collateral ligaments on each side of the knee are left intact.
Some designs replace the posterior cruciate ligament while others leave the natural ligament intact.
The components of the total knee prosthesis are held either by cement or bone ingrowth. Most total knee replacements require hospitalization for three to five days. In general, the patient gets up to walk the day after surgery. Antibiotics are generally given around the time of surgery in order to prevent infection. Range of motion gradually improves with time, but will require regular exercise with a physical therapist for several weeks after surgery.