JOINT REPLACEMENT: KNEE REPLACEMENT

Knee osteoarthritis

ALL IMAGES Courtesy of Zimmer Biomet and Smith & Nephew

The knee joint is often depicted as a simple hinge joint, but on closer inspection it is a highly complex joint with a rotational-gliding mechanism and many important ligaments. Treatment should therefore be carried out by a knee specialist.

Due to the high stresses to which the knee joints are subjected, wear and tear is very common over the course of a lifetime, leading to significant discomfort and limitations in quality of life. Early sports injuries, misalignments, or being overweight significantly contribute to this development.

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

As part of the treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee (arthrosis of the knee), surgical procedures may also be necessary in addition to conservative measures:

JOINT-PRESERVING OPERATIONS ON THE KNEE JOINT (CORRECTION OF MISLASES AND ANATOMICAL VARIETY, MOSTLY BY MEANS OF MINIMALLY INVASIVE JOINT SURGERY (ARTHROSCOPY), PARTLY ALSO BY MEANS OF JOINT OPENING (MINI-OPEN).
Endoprosthetic surgery on the knee joint (replacement of damaged joint edges with artificial implants made of metal and highly cross-linked plastic).

Artificial knee joints are classified as either total or partial replacements. I will carefully determine which prosthesis is suitable for you beforehand, based on a clinical examination, as well as X-rays or MRI scans.

Artificial joint replacement is a very successful and reliable treatment option in the advanced stages of osteoarthritis.

Cemented or cementless partial joint replacement using lateral joint replacement (medial or lateral)
Cemented partial joint replacement using PFJ or Wave prosthesis ( patellar resurfacing )
Cemented total surface replacement (classically: the " knee prosthesis ")
EXTRA stabilizing implants or axis-guided prostheses
INLAYS as a meniscus replacement made of highly cross-linked polyethylene

Professional knee replacement in Mainz: Your expert for artificial knee joints

Advanced osteoarthritis of the knee joint can lead to significant pain and a severe reduction in quality of life. When conservative treatment methods such as physiotherapy or medication are no longer sufficient, a knee replacement (TKR) is a proven and effective solution to restore your mobility and freedom from pain. At the ENDOPROTHETICUM Rhein-Main, Prof. Dr. med. Karl Philipp Kutzner is your highly specialized contact person for knee replacement .

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

A total knee replacement, or TKR 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 restores smooth and pain-free movement. Such a procedure is generally recommended when the articular cartilage is so severely damaged by osteoarthritis (gonarthrosis) that the patient suffers from persistent pain, restricted movement, and a loss of quality of life.

Reasons for an artificial knee joint

Severe, persistent knee pain, even during rest
Significant restriction of walking distance and everyday activities
Leg misalignments such as bowlegs or knock-knees
Failure of conservative treatment measures
Advanced radiologically confirmed joint wear

Your specialist for knee replacement in the Rhine-Main area

Deciding to have a knee replacement is a significant step. Therefore, it is all the more important to entrust yourself to an experienced surgeon. Prof. Dr. Kutzner is a renowned specialist in the field of endoprosthetics and has many years of experience in knee replacement surgery. His practice in Mainz utilizes state-of-the-art surgical techniques and proven implants to achieve the best possible outcome for every patient.

The treatment plan is individually tailored to your needs. From comprehensive diagnostics and precise surgical planning to the careful execution of the knee replacement and subsequent aftercare – at ENDOPROTHETICUM Rhein-Main, you are in excellent hands at every stage.

Our performance promise for your new knee joint

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

Contact us for a consultation

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

During the operation, access to the knee joint is gained from the front, and the knee is repeatedly flexed and extended. The lateral and medial collateral ligaments, and in some cases the cruciate ligaments, are carefully protected during the procedure.

To minimize pain after the operation, pain medication is administered via injections during the procedure (LIA = local infiltration anesthesia).

Knee prosthesis in Mainz and Wiesbaden at the Endoprostheticum

SLED PROSTHESIS

Partial replacement is possible in all areas of the joint, but is most commonly performed on the inner side and is often referred to colloquially as a unicompartmental knee replacement . Similar to a total knee replacement, the damaged cartilage is replaced with a new surface, and a plastic inlay is inserted between the two. For a partial knee replacement, all ligament structures, especially the cruciate ligaments, must be largely intact.

SURFACE REPLACEMENT

KNEE REPLACEMENT (ARTIFICIAL KNEE JOINT)

The artificial knee joint replaces the cartilage surface destroyed by osteoarthritis. The underlying bone of the femur and tibia remains intact. Some compare a modern artificial knee joint to a crown on a tooth; the precise term is bicondylar resurfacing. Between the new surfaces of the femur and tibia is an inlay made of a specially hardened white plastic, visible in X-rays as a gap between the metal components.

SMALL IMPLANTS / REPLACEMENT OF THE KNEE JOINT

The kneecap (patella) runs as an isolated bone in a groove of the femur and, as the femoropatellar joint, represents one of the 3 compartments of the knee joint.

It is fixed with tendons and ligaments, thereby enabling active extension of the knee joint.

Impaired mobility or instability, as well as abnormal kneecap shape (dysplasia), can lead to cartilage damage and osteoarthritis isolated to the patellofemoral joint. If the other compartments are free of osteoarthritis, an isolated partial knee replacement of the posterior surface of the patellofemoral joint is a possibility.