Welcome to the website of

Dr. Mark Snyder

"your total joint replacement resource"

The knee is a complex, hingelike joint with support from cartilage, ligaments and muscles. The two bones at the joint move over each other so you can straighten and bend your leg. When the knee is healthy, it is lubricated by joint fluid so the thighbone and shinbone can roll, rotate and glide easily over each other. Cartilage covers the bones evenly, allowing smooth, easy movement A healthy knee bends easily. The joint absorbs stress and glides smoothly, allowing you to walk, squat and turn. But when the knee is damaged, the joint may lose its ability to cushion stress. You may feel pain during movement. Sometimes a damaged knee will swell, causing pain even when you are at rest.

Understanding Knee Replacement

In a problem knee, the surfaces of the bones may become rough, causing pain when they rub together. The cartilage may wear away and no longer allow easy movement of the joint. Because of arthritis, the joint may be swollen, resulting in pain and stiffness.
A damaged knee joint can be replaced with new, smooth surfaced components. The lower knee component replaces the roughened surface of the shinbone. The upper knee component replaces the roughened surface of the thighbone. The kneecap component covers the underside of your kneecap.

For more details, click Total Knee Replacement.

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The Surgical Procedure

After you have been prepped for surgery and given anesthesia, an incision is made on the front or side of your knee. All of the bone surfaces of the joint are shaped to hold the prosthesis. Then the parts of the prosthesis are put in place. At this point, your surgeon tests the fit and alignment of the prosthesis.
When the prosthesis fits correctly, its parts are secured to the thighbone, kneecap and shinbone. Then these parts are joined and together they form the new joint.

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Time for Surgery

The following link provides more detail for the preoperative, operative, and post-operative stages of the knee surgery process. The patient handout can be printed as a word document by clicking Total Knee Replacement. Any joint replacement patient should print out the Antibiotic handout that provides guidelines for antibiotic protection following joint replacement.

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DISCLAIMER
This information is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace advice from your personal physician.