Knee Replacement Surgery: When and Why It’s Needed

Knee replacement surgery, also known as knee arthroplasty, is a procedure performed to relieve chronic knee pain and restore joint function when other treatments, such as medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes, have failed. It is commonly recommended for patients with severe osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or knee injuries that cause ongoing pain, swelling, and difficulty in movement.
During the procedure, the damaged cartilage and bone are removed from the knee joint and replaced with artificial implants made of metal, plastic, or ceramic. The surgery can be either a total knee replacement (TKR), where the entire joint is replaced, or a partial knee replacement (PKR), where only the damaged part is replaced.