The knee is one of the most commonly-replaced joints in the human body. Knee replacement surgery is generally recommended for patients with severe knee pain and disability caused by damage to the cartilage from injury or disease. One of the most common knee disorders that often require knee replacement surgery is osteoarthritis, which occurs when the joint cartilage wears down and opposing bones surfaces rub against each other, causing severe pain and loss of function in the knee.

Total knee replacement (TKR) is a routine surgery that is highly successful in relieving pain and restoring function and use of the knee. Brainlab technologies are widely used in the field of computer aided surgery (CAS) to assist your surgeon with this procedure.


TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY

In knee replacement surgery, the surgeon replaces the damaged parts of the knee joint with metal and plastic implants in order to restore function.

During surgery, the surgeon will first make an incision to fully expose the joint. Using special instruments, the damaged parts of the joint will be removed and then the surgeon will shape the surfaces of the bones to fit to the implants. 

Finally, the prostheses are inserted and tested. When the proper fit and function of the implant has been achieved, the incision is closed.


COMPUTER ASSISTED TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT

Computer assisted surgery (CAS) works similar to a car’s navigation system by continuously tracking surgical instruments in relation to the patient’s anatomy, thus giving the surgeon additional visual guidance and accurate measurement tools.  The CAS system allows pre-operative planning and simulation of the joint replacement even before the first bone cut has been made. It recommends size and position of the implant based on the patient's anatomy, ensuring that the new implant is properly aligned for natural joint movement.

Treatment errors during surgery can be immediately discovered and corrected, thereby enhancing the overall clinical outcome and lowering the risks total knee replacement.

Benefits of computer aided surgery:

• Correct implant alignment
• Improved functionality of knee joint
• Increased implant life time

PATIENT RESOURCES

Find a knee specialist
Discuss the different treatment options with your physician. Ask him/her to present the advantages and disadvantages, as well as the later side effects, of each different treatment option.

Getting more help
To support you in deciding the best treatment option for you, please also refer to further valuable information sources, such as

• Internet
• Self-support groups
• Non-profit organizations
• Written information material

Take the time to be informed; this is your decision and you need to do what is most beneficial and reassuring for you.