Knee injuries and sports are a tough mix. While many advances have been made in surgical techniques over the past 50 years, most athletes cannot perform at the same level after knee surgery as they could before the procedure. This is also true with knee replacement surgery. However, knee replacement surgery often allows the patient to move around much more easily and participate in sports that they perhaps weren't able to before the surgery.
Total Knee Replacement
This surgery replaces badly damaged cartilage with a plastic or metal prosthesis that functions the same way as the knee joint. The technology involved in this operation has changed dramatically since the surgery was first introduced in the early 1970s, and it has given patients years of pain-free movement at increasing function levels. This procedure was originally for older patients whose knees had been worn down by age, injury or arthritis. However, younger patients have taken advantage of the technology and returned to participating in sports. More active patients may need total knee replacement surgery at two or more points in their lives.
Partial Knee Replacement
This can be a viable form of surgery for someone who wants to get back into sports when he has damaged the cartilage in one portion of the knee. This could be a football player who takes a hit to one specific part of the knee, which causes significant damage to cartilage in the posterior portion of the knee but not in any other area. This is rare, but it does happen. One benefit of this type of surgery is that it is minimally invasive. The incision is relatively small and the patient can usually leave the hospital after one night. Rehab and recovery begin less than 48 hours after the surgery.
Computer-Assisted Surgery
Using a computer and a guided imaging system, the surgeon aligns the artificial knee with the bone it is attached to. This ensures that the artificial knee is going in the precise spot it is supposed to and it makes rehab and recovery a much more straight-forward process. This is especially helpful in complicated procedures due to more severe injuries. Using the computer to assist the surgeon gives the patient a better chance to return to sports and competition.
