Knee Replacement

Types

The type of knee replacement you need will be based on your medical history, age, activity level, weight and the amount of joint damage. Your medical team at Mayo Clinic, led by the orthopedic surgeon, will discuss the options with you and design an individual treatment plan that meets your needs.

Knee replacement surgeries available at Mayo Clinic comprise:

• Total knee replacement. Also called knee arthroplasty, this surgery removes the diseased cartilage, as well as some of the bone on either side of the knee. An artificial joint made of metal alloys, high-grade plastics or polymers, which is designed to mimic the motion of a natural knee, is fused to the bone that remains.

  A few Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgeons use a computer-guided imaging system during total knee replacement. The computer keeps track of the knee joint in three dimensions, helping the surgeon to align the artificial joint to the bone.

• Minimally invasive surgery. Minimally invasive techniques allow surgeons to replace a knee using smaller incisions. Minimally invasive knee replacement requires special surgical training, and it may not work for all people. Your orthopedic surgeon will determine whether you're a good candidate for the minimally invasive approach.
• Partial knee replacement. If the cartilage in just one of the knee's sections becomes damaged, Mayo Clinic surgeons can sometimes replace just the damaged section instead of the whole knee joint. Recovery is easier than with total knee replacement, but the results may not last as long, because arthritis could develop in other areas of the knee.
• Bilateral knee replacement. Having both knees replaced at once can reduce the overall time spent in rehabilitation following surgery, but it's not recommended for some people, such as those with heart or lung disease.

Read more about who is a candidate for knee replacement surgery on MayoClinic.com.