Rotating Platform in Knee Raplacement Surgery

When Knee Problems Arise
When pain, stiffness, knee swelling and limitation of motion in your knee keep you from your daily activities, you may need to seek help from an orthopaedic surgeon.
The most frequent source of debilitating knee pain is arthritis. It is estimated that 40 million people in the United States have some form of arthritis. That’s one in every seven people, one in every three families. Of the more than 100 types of arthritis, the following three are the most common causes of joint damage. Osteoarthritis is a disease that involves the breakdown of tissues that allow joints to move smoothly. The layers of cartilage and synovium become damaged and wear away, leaving the underlying bones unprotected from rubbing against
each other. It occurs primarily in people over 60. Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic
disease because it may attack any or all joints in the body. It affects women more often than men and can strike young and old alike. With rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system produces a chemical that attacks and destroys the synovial lining covering the joint capsule, the protective cartilage and the joint surface, causing pain, swelling, joint damage and loss of mobility. Trauma-related arthritis, which results when the joint is injured, is the third most common form of arthritis. It also causes joint damage, pain and loss of mobility.

The Knee Joint
The knee is the largest joint in the body. It is commonly referred to as a “hinge” joint because
it allows the knee to flex and extend. While hinges can only bend and straighten, the knee
has the additional ability to rotate (turn) and translate (glide). The knee joint consists of the
tibia (shinbone), the femur (thighbone) and the patella (kneecap). Each bone end is covered with a layer of smooth, shiny cartilage that cushions and protects while allowing near frictionless movement. Cartilage, which contains no nerve endings or blood supply, receives nutrients from the fluid contained within the joint. (If damaged, the cartilage is not capable of repairing itself.)
Surrounding the knee structure is the synovial lining, which produces synovial fluid, a moisturizing lubricant. Tough fibers, called ligaments, link the bones of the knee joint and hold them in place—adding stability and elasticity for movement. Muscles and tendons also play an important role in keeping the knee joint stable and mobile.

Thanks to DePuy Orthopedics, a Johnson & Johnson Co., for their patient education information.

Next Blog will cover Knee Replacement Surgery