Knee replacement surgery, also called knee arthroplasty, may occur when severe knee joint damage becomes very painful or there is a deformity in the knee, according to MayoClinic.com. During this surgery, a surgeon removes the ends of the thighbone and shinbone and replaces them with an artificial joint. The kneecap is removed, as well. All prosthetic parts hinge together to give the patient a fully-functioning knee joint. For those who wish to avoid a total knee replacement, alternative options exist.
Cartilage Transplant
The Arthritis Insight website lists cartilage transplant as an alternative to total knee replacement surgery. According to Aurora Health Care, surgeons can repair injuries sustained to the meniscus cartilage, a type of cartilage located between the bones of the joint, and articular cartilage, the type located at the ends of the bones, through transplanting healthy, undamaged cartilage. The replacement cartilage may come from a cadaver or the patient, either as cartilage removed from another area or from cells harvested from the knee, which are then grown in a lab into replacement cartilage.
Osteotomy
Physicians may recommend an osteotomy procedure as an alternative to total knee replacement, according to the Arthritis Insight. MayoClinic.com reveals that physicians often prefer the osteotomy over knee replacement for younger patients, as knee prosthetics used in the procedure wear out over time, particularly in those under the age of 55. An osteotomy of the knee removes or adds a portion of bone to your upper shinbone or lower thighbone, which decreases body weight on the injured area of the knee joint and alleviates pain from arthritis while preventing further damage from bone ends rubbing together.
Uni-compartmental Arthroplasty
Arthritis Insight reports that uni-compartmental arthroplasty, also called a partial knee replacement, serves as an alternative to complete knee replacement surgery. Physicians may recommend this surgery if only a portion of the knee joint is damaged and needs to be replaced. This option may utilize a minimally-invasive technique to repair the joint through small incision no wider than three or three and one half inches, according to the University of Washington Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. A uni-compartmental arthroplasty provides the opportunity for very little injury to the muscles and tendons around the knee and faster recovery time.
