What is Total Knee Replacement?
Total knee replacement is often the last option when non-surgical treatment options fail to relieve osteoarthritis of the knee. Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis is a degenerative joint disease in which the joint cartilage gradually wears away. As a result, bones rub together resulting in extreme pain. The knee can be divided into three compartments:
Patellofemoral – the compartment behind the kneecap
Medial compartment – the compartment on the inside of the knee
Lateral compartment – the area on the outside of the knee joint
Traditionally, total knee replacement surgery involves replacing the damaged cartilage and bone from the surface of the knee joint with a metal implant. This surgery requires a substantial amount of bone removal that may have certain limitations. In a total knee replacement, all the compartments are replaced whereas, in partial knee replacement, only the affected compartment is replaced.
What is ConforMIS® Knee Implant?
ConforMIS® has developed personalized knee resurfacing implants with unique advantages against traditional knee replacement options. To design a personalized implant for every individual, the surgeon will perform the CT scan of the affected knee of the patient. A 3D image of a patient’s knee is created from CT scans and an implant is designed to conform exactly to individual size and shape.
Advantages
The advantages of ConforMIS® knee implant include:
- Offers superior fit to individual size and shape
- Requires fewer bone cuts and preserves most of the existing bone and thereby has a better prognosis
- Restores your knee’s normal range of motion
- Less traumatic procedure
- Results in faster recovery
- Decreased postoperative pain
Following surgery, you will be able to bear the weight and walk with assistance. You can return to your daily activities within 6 weeks.