The knee is the largest joint in the human body. It allows you to walk and run, execute a variety of different body positions, and change the direction of your body movement. However, the knee also serves as an important focal point for weight-bearing. It is subjected to tremendous forces - approximately 4 times the body’s weight during walking and about 8 times the body’s weight when running. This, combined with the unique structure of the knee joint, makes knee problems the number one reason people seek the attention of an orthopedic specialist.

Common Procedures:

Arthroscopic Surgery
When a knee arthroscopy is performed, a camera is inserted into the joint through
a small incision (about one centimeter). The arthroscopic surgery camera is
attached to a fiberoptic light source and shows a picture of the inside of the joint
on a television monitor. The surgeon uses water under pressure to "inflate" the
knee allowing more maneuverability and to remove any debris. One or more other incisions are made to insert instruments that can treat the underlying problem.
For example, a shaver can be inserted to trim the edges of a meniscus tear.

Total Knee Replacement
Total knee replacement, or arthroplasty, is the relining of the joint (bone end
surfaces) with artificial parts called prostheses. There are three components
used in the artificial knee. The femoral (thigh) component is made of metal and
covers the end of the thigh bone. The tibial (shin bone) component, made of metal and polyethylene (medical-grade plastic), covers the top end of the tibia. The metal forms the base of this component, while the polyethylene is attached to the top of
the metal to serve as a cushion and smooth gliding surface. The third component,
the patella (kneecap) may be all polyethylene or a combination of metal and polyethylene. The new components are stabilized by your ligaments and
muscles and act just like your natural knee.