Knee Prosthesis

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A knee prosthesis is an artificial device implanted in the knee joint when it is damaged.

Service Manager

Dr. Massimo Razzano

Surgeon

Specialist in Orthopedics and Traumatology

TYPES OF PROSTHESES

A knee prosthesis can be:

  • Partial prosthesis or unicompartmental when the replacement involves only one portion of the joint and preserves the cruciate ligaments
  • Total prosthesis when the replacement involves the entire joint, sometimes including the back of the kneecap

depending on the type of prosthesis, it will consist of:

  • Femoral metal component that covers the lower end of the femur
  • Tibial metal component positioned on the upper part of the tibia
  • Intermediate polyethylene component placed between the metal parts
  • Patellar component (in cases where the back of the kneecap is also replaced)

The need for knee arthroplasty surgery is generally due to the onset of gonarthrosis, a condition that causes degeneration of the cartilage covering the articular ends of the bones, whose function is to protect them right at the joint.

GONARTHROSIS

Gonarthrosis is a chronic, degenerative disease of the knee, characterized by wear of the articular cartilage connecting the tibia and femur.

CAUSES

Gonarthrosis is mainly caused by the natural aging of cartilage tissue cells, which undergo physiological changes in their structure and become more fragile.

The presence of predisposing factors, such as excess weight, alterations of the mechanical axis (varus or valgus knee), joint trauma (injury or rupture of the menisci or cruciate ligaments), can bring forward the onset of this condition, since degeneration of the articular cartilage leads to increased joint friction, which in turn further increases cartilage degeneration, and so on.

The progressive destruction of the cartilage layer results in direct bone-on-bone contact, causing pain and inflammatory phenomena. The clinical consequence of the thinning cartilage layer and chronic inflammation is swelling and pain—initially occurring at night—that becomes continuous as the disease worsens and intensifies with walking. In the more severe forms, pain-free walking is possible only for short distances. Another consequence of osteoarthritis is the progressive, disabling reduction of joint movement.
  • • Knee prosthesis

For information and bookings

Monday / Friday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM / Saturday 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM

06 35528500

The Villa Stuart Clinic is affiliated with major insurance companies and supplementary health care funds.

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