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The Knee Joint

The knee joint, which appears like a simple hinge-joint, is one of the most complex
joint. Moreover, the knee is more likely to be injured than is any other joint in the body.

Knee joint must be regarded as consisting of three articulations in one: two condyloid
joints, one between each condyle of the femur and the corresponding meniscus and
condyle of the tibia; and a third between the patella and the femur, partly arthrodial,
but not completely so, since the articular surfaces are not mutually adapted to each
other, so that the movement is not a simple gliding one.

We tend to ignore our knees until something happens to them that causes pain. If
we take good care of our knees now, before there is a problem, we can really help
ourselves. In addition, if some problems with the knees develop, an exercise
program can be extremely beneficial. To understand the functions, conditions,
surgeries & procedures of the knee better, we have included an interactive
animated presentation.

Click on the topics below to go the desired section

Knee anatomy :: Knee arthritis :: Knee Arthroscopy :: Total Knee Replacement (TKR)
 ACL Reconstruction :: Unicondylar Knee Replacement ::
Revision Knee Replacement :: Minimally Invasive Surgery

Normal anatomy of the Knee joint

Find out more in this web based movie.

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Arthritis of the Knee joint

The term arthritis literally means inflammation of a joint, but is generally used to describe any
condition in which there is damage to the cartilage.

Click here to go to the section on arthritis.

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Arthroscopy of the knee joint

Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure in which an arthroscope is inserted into a joint. Arthroscopy is a term that comes from two Greek words, arthro-, meaning joint, and -skopein, meaning to examine. The benefits of arthroscopy involve smaller incisions, faster healing, a more rapid recovery, and less scarring. Arthroscopic surgical procedures are often performed on an outpatient basis and the patient is able to return home on the same day.

Find out more about knee arthroscopy with the following links.

Interactive Movie	Text version	Printable version	Orthopaedic Surgeons & Practice websites with Hipsknees movies

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Total Knee Replacement (TKR).

A total knee replacement (TKR) or total knee arthroplasty is a surgery that resurfaces
an arthritic knee joint with an artificial metal or plastic replacement parts called the ‘prostheses’.

Find out more about Total Knee Replacement (TKR) with the following links.

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Anterior Cruciate Ligament ACL reconstruction

The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the major stabilizing ligaments in the knee. It is a
strong rope like structure located in the centre of the knee running from the femur to the tibia. When this ligament tears unfortunately it doesn’t heal and often leads to the feeling
of instability in the knee.

ACL reconstruction is a commonly performed surgical procedure and with recent advances
in arthroscopic surgery can now be performed with minimal incisions and low complication rates.

ACL Reconstruction (Hamstring tendon)

Interactive Movie	Text version	Printable version	Orthopaedic Surgeons & Practice websites with Hipsknees movies

ACL Reconstruction (Patellar Tendon)
 

Interactive Movie	Text version	Printable version	Orthopaedic Surgeons & Practice websites with Hipsknees movies

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Uni condylar (Unicompartmental) knee replacement.

This simply means that only a part of the knee joint is replaced through a smaller incision
than would normally be used for a total knee replacement. The knee joint is made up of 3 compartments, the patellofemoral and medial and lateral compartments between the femur
and tibia (i.e. the long bones of the leg).

Often only one of these compartments wears out, usually the medial one. If you have
symptoms and X-ray findings suggestive of this then you may be suitable for this procedure.

Find out more from the links below.

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Revision knee replacement.

This means that part or all of your previous knee replacement needs to be revised. This
operation varies from very minor adjustments to massive operations replacing significant
amounts of bone and hence is difficult to describe in full.

Click on following links to find out more about Revision knee Replacement.

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Minimally Invasive Surgery

Total Hip Replacement THR and Total Knee Replacement THR are very successful
surgical treatment for arthritis of the hip and knee respectively.

Over the years hip replacement surgery can be done through much smaller incisions
than the usual twenty-five to thirty centimeter incision that most surgeons use.

The advantages of Minimally Invasive Surgery:

• Less tissue trauma – muscles and tendons are avoided or separated, not cut
• Faster and less painful rehabilitation
• Smaller incisions and less scarring – two incisions of 1½ to 2 inches each, rather
  than one 10- to 12-inch incision
• Shorter hospital stay – 1-2 days (vs. 3-5 days); some patients go home in less
  than 24 hours
• Reduced blood loss and less need for pre-surgery blood donation
• Faster return to work and daily activities

To find out more about Birmingham MIS, click on the following

Birmingham MIS- Hip	Birmingham MIS- Knee

	Web www.orthopaedics.com