Knee prosthesis

Partial prosthesis

A knee prosthesis is a partial replacement of the knee joint. A total knee prosthesis is a complete replacement of the knee joint. Only one or two parts of the knee joint (of a total of three parts) are replaced by a prosthesis. Malpositions or previous injuries (e.g. torn meniscus on the inside) can lead to the destruction of a part of the joint. The inner (knee) part of the thigh or lower leg is most frequently affected (isolated medial gonarthrosis). In such cases, it is possible to replace only the affected part of the joint so that the patient can largely keep their own joint.

Total prosthesis

A total knee prosthesis is a complete replacement of the knee joint. Depending on the condition of the ligaments, prostheses of varying stability range from a hinge-like guide to freely movable implants, corresponding to a movable meniscus. The doctor selects the optimal knee prosthesis according to the individual patient.

Complete replacement of the knee joint is called for when joint destruction has reached a point where the patient continues to complain of persistent knee pain despite all other measures (conservative, medicinal or infiltration treatments, physiotherapy, arthroscopic joint rinsing). In such cases, knee replacement is a desirable procedure with a good chance of success.

Mako – more stable joints and fewer revisions
One of the main causes of pain after implanting a knee prosthesis stems from the new knee joint’s ligament tension which is often insufficiently balanced. Surgeons now expect to solve this problem with the use of the Mako robotic arm. The software-supported robotic-arm technology makes it possible to adjust surgical planning virtually before and during the procedure by taking into account the ligament tension before the prosthesis is inserted. The use of artificial joints or joint parts is thus rendered even more exact and precise.