Knee arthroplasty

Written by Dr Sheila Strover on March 14, 2025

Knee arthroplasty replaces some or all of the joint with metal and plastic.

Components of a total knee replacement demonstrated on model bones.
Demonstration plastic bones, to show a total knee replacement from the rear.
X-ray showing a partial knee replacement
Tibio-femoral arthroplasty on the medial side.

Knee arthroplasty and the concept of compartments

From the point of view of joint replacement, the knee is considered to have three compartments, and implants may replace any or all of them.

These include the two tibio-femoral compartments and the patello-femoral compartment.

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Compartment, Unicompartmental knee replacement, Total knee replacement