Institute of Shoulder and Knee Surgery

The knee joint is the largest of all skeletal joints, bears the greatest load, and is the most complex in structure. Normal joint function enables daily activities.

Most Common Joint Conditions:

• Osteoarthritis — a degenerative process with cartilage destruction, osteophyte formation, joint space narrowing, and functional impairment;
• Patient age is typically over 50;
• Inflammatory arthritis — rheumatoid. Inflammation of the synovial membrane covering the articular surface, bone damage, deformity, and functional impairment;

Post-Traumatic Arthritis:

Indications for Joint Replacement:

• Severe pain and stiffness limiting daily activities, including walking, climbing stairs, and independently getting in and out of a chair;
• Constant pain day and night;
• Chronic inflammation and swelling unresponsive to conservative treatment (medications, physical therapy, intra-articular injections).

The first knee replacement was performed in 1968. Since then, significant technological progress has been made in diagnosing knee joint diseases, with improvements in the quality of replacement materials, articular surface design, and the creation of individually matched joint constructs.

Required Examinations:

Thorough examination by an orthopedist, orthopedic history. Discussion about selecting the most physiologically suitable implant, preparation for surgery, surgical stages, and possible complications;

• Joint X-rays;
• Joint MRI;
• Examination by an internist for comorbid conditions;
• Blood tests, ECG, echocardiography;
• Age is not a limitation for surgery.