Knee Replacement Surgery

Knee replacement Surgery (arthroplasty) involves replacing a damaged, worn or diseased knee with an artificial joint.

There are two main types:

Total Knee Replacement - where both sides of the knee joint are replaced.

Partial Knee Replacement - where only one side of your joint is replaced in a smaller operation, with a shorter hospital stay and recovery period. It is a routine operation that reduces knee pain most commonly caused by arthritis.

• Why Knee Replacement Surgery?

  Knee Replacement is an effective treatment for a knee joint that can’t function adequately or painlessly.  New research has demonstrated that a Knee Replacement can last for as long as 25 years, if it is cared for and not put under too much strain.
  
  The most common causes of knee damage are:

  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Haemophilia
  • Gout
  • Knee Injury
• How is it performed?

  Total Knee Replacement will follow this procedure:

  • The damaged ends of your thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia) are removed.
  • The ends are  measured and shaped to fit the artificial replacement.
  • A TRIAL  joint is positioned to test that the joint is working properly.
  • Adjustments are made, the bone ends are cleaned, and the final prosthesis is fitted.
  • The end of your thigh bone is replaced by a curved piece of metal and your shin bone by a flat metal plate.
  • These are fixed into place WITH BONE CEMENT 
  • A plastic spacer is placed between the pieces of metal which reduces friction in your joint as it moves.
  • The back of the knee cap may also be replaced, depending on your knee damage.
  • The wound is closed with either stitches or clips and a dressing applied while the wound heals.

  Partial Knee Replacement may be suitable for those who only have knee damage on one side. The procedure involves a smaller incision and less bone removal.

• Wrightington Hospital

  In 2018 alone, our Orthopaedic Surgeons performed more than 3000 hip and knee replacements.
  
  We are able to offer exceptional clinical outcomes when compared to other providers using the National Joint Registry data.
  
  We have the Lowest Infection Rates of any NHS Hospital in the UK.
  
  We have one of the Lowest Readmission Rates in the North West.