Types of Knee Surgeries

There are medications, besides walking, which can help relieve pain and help the tendons and torn ligaments in the knees recover. However, there are times when this may not help, and that's when knee replacement surgery may be required. When you go through a surgery, the worn out tissues are corrected, which in turn helps in relieving the pain.

There are different types of surgeries that may be performed, and that depends on the extent and the part of the knee which is damaged.

If your bones, tissues or tendons have been severely damaged, you may need to go through a procedure, wherein, the damaged part is removed. Once that is done, a piece of metal or plastic is placed so that the function and alignment of the knees are restored.

During this procedure, either femoral, tibial or patellar components are used in place of the knee joints. All these components are either made of highly polished strong metal or durable plastic. This procedure is mostly carried out in older people, as there are chances that the metal or plastic may wear out in due course of time.

If a cartilage of the knee is damaged, doctors may recommend replacing that part only, and that's what is called partial knee surgery. Compared to total knee replacement surgery, in this procedure, the incision is smaller, but the results of this type of procedure may not be that great in comparison to total knee replacement surgery.

The procedure involves rebuilding the joints, wherein, the damaged parts of the knee are surgically resurfaced or realigned. Moreover, a part of the bone may be cut and repositioned, so the knee can return to its normal functioning.

This procedure involves removing a part of the damaged bone, cartilage or tendon. Usually, it's only when a disease affects the knee to such an extent that it makes normal activities difficult, that resection is recommended.

This approach is a recent phenomena, and is still a new technique. In this process, the incisions are comparatively smaller than other procedures, wherein, a small cut is made. Through this cut, a thin tube with a light is passed, which allows the doctor to view the damaged part. Once this part is viewed, the surgeon takes corrective measures, so that the deformity is repaired.

ACL stands for Anterior Cruciate Ligament, and is one of the most important ligaments in the knee. It helps keep the knee stable, and if there is any injury to this part, pain may occur. In case of severe damage, you may need to go through a surgical procedure to rectify the problem.

The exterior part of the knee comprises the patellar tendon, and it is this part which allows us to kick something or straighten out the knees. These are thick fibrous tissues, and unlike other tissues in the body, they don't contract and expand.

They are specifically meant to carry the force of the body. When this tendon is injured due to some reason, and it gets damaged severely, surgery may be required. During the surgery, strong sutures are used and are tied to the tendons. They are then passed through the kneecap by making holes in it.