Zimmer Biomet’s Patient Guide to Knee Replacement provides an overview of the surgical procedure, including understanding the knee joint, preparing for surgery, and returning home.
Understanding Knee Replacement
The guide explains that the knee joint is the largest joint in the body, where the lower end of the thighbone (femur), the upper end of the shinbone (tibia), and the kneecap (patella) meet. It discusses the common reason for total joint replacement, osteoarthritis (OA), which can cause cartilage cushioning the bones to soften and wear away, leading to bone-on-bone contact and pain.
Procedure
During knee replacement, the damaged parts of the bones are removed and resurfaced with implants. The surface of the thighbone (femur) is replaced with a metal implant designed to fit the curve of the bone, and the surface of the shinbone (tibia) is replaced with a flat metal implant and a smooth polyethylene (plastic) implant.
The guide emphasizes the importance of following the specific verbal and written recommendations and instructions provided by the surgeon and that patient treatment plans and outcomes will vary.
Manual:
Download: Patient Guide to Knee Replacement
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