JOINT REPLACEMENT: KNEE-TEP

OSTEOARTHRITIS KNEE

ALL IMAGES Courtesy of Zimmer Biomet and Smith & Nephew

The knee joint is often presented as a simple hinge joint, but upon closer inspection it is a highly complex joint with a rotational sliding mechanism and many important ligaments. THE TREATMENT SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT BY A KNEE SPECIALIST.

DUE TO THE HIGH stresses to which the knee joints are exposed, wear and tear phenomena occur very frequently in the course of life, resulting in significant complaints and limitations in quality of life. Early sports injuries, malalignments, or overweight significantly favor this development.

Unlike the hip joint, a so-called ball-and-socket joint, in which the entire joint is always affected, only individual compartments (e.g. on the inside or behind the kneecap) can be treated at the knee joint.

WITHIN THE THERAPY OF KNEE JOINT ARTHROSIS (Knee Osteoarthritis) CAN ALSO BE SURGICAL INTERVENTIONS NEEDED:

JOINT-PRESERVING SURGERIES ON THE KNEE JOINT (CORRECTION OF MISALIGNMENTS AND ANATOMICAL VARIANTS PRIMARILY USING MINIMALLY-INVASIVE JOINT ARTHROSCOPY (ARTHROSCOPY), PARTIALLY ALSO THROUGH GELENKERÖFFNUNG (MINI-OPEN).
ENDOPROTHETIC SURGERIES OF THE KNEE JOINT (REPLACEMENT OF THE DAMAGED JOINT PARTS BY ARTIFICIAL IMPLANTS MADE OF METAL AND HIGHLY CROSS-LINKED PLASTIC).

We distinguish between total knee replacements and partial knee replacements for artificial knee joints. I carefully determine which prosthesis is suitable for you beforehand based on the clinical examination, as well as X-rays or MRI scans.

The artificial joint replacement is in the advanced stage of osteoarthritis a very successful and reliable treatment option.

cemented or cementless partial joint replacement using sled prostheses (inside or outside)
Cemented partial joint replacement using PFJ or Wave prosthesis (patellar resurfacing)
cemented Vcomplete surface replacement (Classic: the "Knee prosthesis")
EXTRA stabilizing implants or axis-guided prostheses
INLAYS as meniscus replacement made of highly cross-linked polyethylene

Professional Knee Replacement in Mainz: Your Expert for Artificial Knee Joints

Advanced osteoarthritis in the knee joint can lead to significant pain and a severe limitation of quality of life. If conservative treatment methods such as physiotherapy or medication therapies are no longer sufficient, a Knee TEP (total endoprosthesis) provides a proven and effective solution to restore your mobility and pain‑free condition. At ENDOPROTHETICUM Rhein‑Main, Prof. Dr. med. Karl Philipp Kutzner is your highly specialized contact for the use of an artificial knee joint.

What is a total knee replacement and when is it necessary?

A total knee arthroplasty, or TKA for short, is a surgical procedure in which the worn surfaces of the knee joint are replaced with high-quality implants made of metal and plastic. This joint replacement mimics the natural function of the knee and enables a smooth and pain-free movement. Such an intervention is usually recommended when the articular cartilage is severely damaged by osteoarthritis (gonarthrosis), causing the patient to suffer from persistent pain, limited mobility, and a loss of quality of life.

Reasons for an artificial knee joint

Severe, persistent knee pain, even at rest
Significant limitation of walking distance and everyday activities
Malalignment of the leg, such as bowlegs or knock knees
Failure of conservative therapy measures
Advanced radiologically confirmed joint degeneration

Your specialist for knee replacement in the Rhine-Main region

The decision for an artificial knee joint is a significant step. All the more important is to place yourself in the hands of an experienced surgeon. Prof. Dr. Kutzner is a recognized specialist in the field of endoprosthetics and has many years of experience in implanting knee prostheses. In his practice in Mainz, state-of-the-art surgical techniques and proven implants are used to achieve the best possible result for each patient.

The treatment plan is individually tailored to your Bedürfnisse. From comprehensive diagnostics über the precise operative planning to the careful execution of the knee TKR and the subsequent aftercare – at ENDOPROTHETICUM Rhein-Main you are excellently cared for in every phase.

Our performance promise for your new knee joint

Comprehensive consultation: We take time to answer your questions and explain the procedure in detail.
Individual planning: Selection of the optimal prosthesis type based on your anatomy and your activity level.
Precise operation: Use of minimally invasive techniques to preserve muscles and tissue.
Fast Recovery: A structured rehabilitation plan supports your quick return to everyday life.

Contact us for a consultation

If you suffer from knee problems and want to learn more about the possibilities of a Knee TEP or an artificial knee joint if you would like to learn more, schedule a consultation. Prof. Dr. Kutzner and his team at ENDOPROTHETICUM Rhein-Main in Mainz look forward to helping you overcome your pain and gain a new quality of life.

During the operation, access to the knee joint is from the front and the knee is bent and stretched multiple times during the procedure. The outer and inner ligaments and partially also the cruciate ligaments are carefully protected during the operation.

To ensure they have as little pain as possible after the operation, pain medication is administered via injections during the surgery (LIA = local infiltration anesthesia).

KNEE PROSTHESIS IN MAINZ AND WIESBADEN AT THE ENDOPROTHETICUM

SLIDEPROSTHESIS

The partial joint replacement of the knee joint is possible in all areas of the joint, but is most commonly performed on the inner side of the knee joint and colloquially often referred to as slide prosthesis called. Similar to the full prosthesis, the defective cartilage is also replaced here by a new surface and a plastic inlay is inserted in between. For a partial prosthesis, all ligament structures, especially the cruciate ligaments, must be largely intact.

SURFACE REPLACEMENT

KNEE-TEP (ARTIFICIAL KNEE JOINT)

The artificial knee joint replaces the cartilage surface destroyed by osteoarthritis. The underlying bone in the thigh and tibial plateau remains intact. Some compare a modern artificial knee joint with a crown on a tooth, the exact term is the so-called biconcave surface replacement. Between the new surfaces on the upper and lower leg is the so-called inlay made of a specially hardened white plastic, which appears in the X‑ray as a gap between the metal components.

SMALL-IMPLANTS / REPLACEMENT OF THE PATELLA JOINT

The kneecap (patella) runs as an isolated bone in a groove of the femur and represents one of three compartments of the knee joint as the femoropatellar joint.

It is fixed with tendons and ligaments and enables active extension of the knee joint.

Disorders of mobility or an instability as well as the shape of the patella (dysplasia) can lead to cartilage damage and osteoarthritis isolated in the patellofemoral joint. IF THE OTHER COMPARTMENTS ARE FREE OF ARTHROSIS, the possibility of an isolated partial joint replacement of the patellar back-surface joint.