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Inside a normal knee joint, thick cushioning (cartilage) covers and protects the ends of your bones. This is called hyaline cartilage. Another type of cartilage, called meniscal cartilage or meniscus, acts like a shock absorber between the bones and keeps the knee joint stable by spreading out the load evenly across the joint. The two menisci (plural of meniscus) protect and cushion the surface of the joint and the ends of your bones.
In osteoarthritis, the cartilage that protects and cushions the knee joint breaks down over time. As the cartilage wears down, the bone surfaces rub against each other. This damages the tissue and bone, causing pain. Osteoarthritis is common in the knee joints.
Removal of damaged cartilage and bone from the lower end of the femur and placement of the femoral component
Removal of damaged cartilage and bone from the upper end of the tibia and placement of the tibial component
Removal of damaged cartilage and bone from the patella and placement of the patellar component
Completed knee replacement
Current as of: November 9, 2022
Author: Healthwise StaffMedical Review: Anne C. Poinier MD - Internal MedicineAdam Husney MD - Family MedicineKathleen Romito MD - Family MedicineKenneth J. Koval MD - Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic TraumaDavide Bardana MD, FRCSC - Orthopedic Surgery, Sports MedicineHeather Quinn MD - Family Medicine
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Anne C. Poinier MD - Internal Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & Kenneth J. Koval MD - Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Trauma & Davide Bardana MD, FRCSC - Orthopedic Surgery, Sports Medicine & Heather Quinn MD - Family Medicine
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