Knee prosthesis

(joint replacement, artificial knee joint, knee endoprosthesis) and knee prosthesis replacement (revision)

By inserting an artificial joint, the natural, worn cartilage surfaces of the knee are replaced by an artificial surface replacement (partial or total prosthesis). Immediately after the operation, the focus is on pain relief and movement therapy. Long-term results show that an optimally inserted and healed knee prosthesis can function without pain for 15 to 20 years.

Knee osteoarthritis? Chronic knee complaints?

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Knee prosthesis

The knee prosthesis is a partial or complete replacement for the knee joint. Patients with severe knee arthrosis benefit from this operation, which restores the functionality of the knee joint and thus significantly improves the quality of life.

The most important reason for fitting a knee prosthesis is the advanced stage of knee arthrosis and associated pain (pain at night and at rest) and severe limitations in mobility.

The insertion of a knee prosthesis is an extensive operation and is discussed by experienced knee orthopaedic surgeons when a joint-preserving therapy is out of the question for technical or age-related reasons and all previous conservative (physiotherapy, etc.) and minimally invasive measures (joint irrigation, etc.) have been exhausted.

Depending on the severity of the arthrosis, a mini prosthesis, a partial prosthesis or a total prosthesis is used.

The average durability of a knee prosthesis is 15 to 20 years. In case of loosening, improper installation or infection, knee prostheses must be replaced by a prosthesis change.

Is it worth the effort? What are the risks?

With no other joint such as the knee, the demands for the greatest possible mobility and performance, including a return to past times, have risen up to old age. 

The insertion of a knee prosthesis is an extensive operation (including a rehabilitation phase with physiotherapy to build up strength and muscle). Accordingly, I attach great importance to involving my patients in all decisions and to inform them in detail about the operation and the course of recovery in order to optimally adjust realistic expectations and possibilities.

Causes and symptoms of a knee prosthesis

Arthrosis and age-related wear of the cartilage surfaces in the knee joint is the most common cause of knee joint replacement. The arthrosis can develop as a degenerative consequence of a knee injury (meniscus, cruciate ligament, knee cartilage) or knee inflammation.

An important prerequisite for the knee prosthesis is that all previous therapeutic (non-surgical) and surgical measures have been exhausted and no longer have any effect.

If a knee prosthesis loosens (lifetime approx. 15 years) or if it becomes infected, it must be replaced by a knee prosthesis.

Clarification and treatment

The installation of a knee prosthesis becomes an issue when all conservative (physiotherapy, medication, etc.) and minimally invasive measures (joint lavage, etc.) no longer have any effect.

For the diagnosis a thorough examination of the knee and questioning of the patient is carried out. In addition, x-rays and computer tomography (CT) are used to analyse the situation of the knee complaints and to discuss and plan in detail the optimal solution together with the patient. 

Mini prosthesis

In the case of isolated arthrosis (femoropatellar joint arthrosis), local cartilage damage to the patella and inside of the knee joint can be replaced by a mini-prosthesis. With the mini-prosthesis, the knee joint can already be fully loaded on the day of the operation.

The operation time is about 60 to 100 minutes. The hospital stay is 3-4 days. Walking sticks are recommended for four weeks. Physiotherapy for strength and muscle building is recommended for 8-10 weeks. Depending on the profession, the inability to work is 2-12 weeks.

Partial prosthesis

Partial prostheses are an alternative to the total prosthesis, which is inserted on the inside of the knee joint in the case of arthrosis. Partial prostheses, like mini prostheses, are usually implanted in a minimally invasive way. The advantage of a partial prosthesis over a full prosthesis is the faster loading of the operated knee joint. Patients walk a few steps without walking sticks already on the day of the operation.

The operation time is about 60 to 100 minutes. The hospital stay is 3-4 days. Walking sticks are recommended for four weeks. Physiotherapy for strength and muscle building is recommended for 12-15 weeks. Depending on the profession, the inability to work is 2-12 weeks.

Total prosthesis

Total prostheses are used for advanced, severe arthrosis damage to the knee joint. The total prosthesis is suitable for patients who feel pain on the inside and outside of the knee joint. Various prosthesis models are available for patients' individual joints.

The operation time is about 90 to 120 minutes. The hospital stay lasts 4-5 days, depending on the pain and mobility of the patient, combined with a short cure and rehabilitation stay. Walking sticks are recommended during 6-10 weeks. Physiotherapy to build strength is recommended for 3-4 months. Depending on the activity, the inability to work lasts 4-12 weeks.