Artificial knee replacement means replacing the worn-out, painful joint surfaces of the knee with metal and plastic components.  At The Stone Clinic, artificial joints are utilized if biologic joint replacement techniques (meniscus cartilage and articular cartilage replacement) cannot effectively relieve pain and improve function.  While we have been very successful at helping people delay or avoid artificial joint replacements despite relatively severe arthritis, there comes a time when artificial joint replacement is indicated.
 

Artificial knee joints are temporary devices that last for up to 20 years (but can fail as early as one year), provide excellent pain relief and range of motion from 0-120° (though the range varies from patient to patient). We use the newest designs that, with their rotating and replaceable plateaus, permit a wide range of sports participation.
 

Artificial knee joints are indicated for patients with bone-on-bone painful arthritis in multiple parts of the knee. If only one part of the knee is worn out, we use partial or uni-compartmental replacements, only resurfacing the worn out area.
 

The major risks of artificial joint replacements are loosening of the cement used to fix the joint, stiffness, pain, loss of motion, and a very low risk of infection or blood clot formation at the time of surgery.

Click on the following links for details of how the joint is replaced, what to expect before and after surgery, the blood replacement options, and what the physical therapy options can include.
 

The Stone Clinic specializes in solutions to joint problems that keep people active as long as they live.
 

Contact us for more information and suggestions about the information contained here at info@stoneclinic.com or (415) 563-3110.