Knee Replacement

Knee Replacement

Preparation
Procedure
Recovery

Procedure

In total knee replacement surgery, the damaged bone surfaces and cartilage are removed and replaced with artificial surfaces made of metal and a plastic material. These surfaces are called "implants" or "prostheses" and restore the alignment and function of your knee.

Typically, a total knee replacement takes about two hours. For a complete overview of this procedure, please see the illustrated piece on Total Knee Replacement.

You will be admitted to the hospital on the day of your scheduled surgery. You will be asked to arrive to the hospital two hours before the start of your surgery. After admission, you will move into the pre-operative area where you will be evaluated by an anesthesiologist. The most common type of anesthesia is general, in which you are given anesthesia through an intravenous (IV) drip that keeps you asleep for the entire surgery. Your anesthesiologist also may offer you an epidural or spinal injection or a combination of the above. You will discuss this with your anesthesiologist prior to your surgery.

Computer Assisted Surgery

Our experts are trained in computer-assisted orthopedic surgery, which uses special cameras and intra-operative imaging tools that project images of the area being operated onto a television screen. On-screen prompts help guide surgeons to the ideal alignment of the implant and provide real-time vision of the surgical site. High-precision alignment may extend the long-term survival of the implanted artificial hip or knee, thus reducing the need for future corrective surgeries. UCSF Medical Center surgeons are currently involved in studying these new technologies to determine their impact on total knee replacement.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated July 23, 2008