What Happens During Knee Replacement Surgery?
After the anesthesia is given, a catheter (thin tube) may be inserted into your bladder. This prevents your bladder from becoming too full during or shortly after your knee replacement surgery. A tourniquet or blood pressure cuff will then be wrapped around your thigh to temporarily stop the flow of blood to your knee. This allows your doctor to see the surgical area clearly. To help reduce the chance of infection, your entire leg, from your hip to your toes, will be scrubbed with a special soap, and you will be covered with sterile sheets. The only area exposed will be the site where the knee replacement surgery is being performed. Your healthcare provider will begin by making an incision along the front of your knee. The joint is opened, and the ends of your worn-out bones are exposed. The ends of the shinbone and thighbone and the undersurface of the kneecap are then removed using special cutting guides and saws. The metal implant pieces are the...