knee replacement

knee replacement A surgical procedure to relieve pain and increase function in people with severe damage to the knee joint. Knee replacement surgery may involve replacing the entire joint (total knee replacement) or only a portion of the joint (partial knee replacement). Damaged cartilage and bone from the surface of the knee joint are removed and replaced with an artificial substance. Knee replacement surgery is considered for patients whose knee joints have been damaged by progressive arthritis, trauma, or other rare destructive diseases of the joint. The most common reason for knee replacement in the US is severe osteoarthritis of the knees. Also known as knee arthroplasty.