What is surface knee replacement surgery? Do I need the surgery? Will the surgery treat my pain? Will my daily life be affected after the surgery? I. What is a surface knee replacement? Is it the replacement of the entire knee? Artificial joint replacement is regarded as one of the major milestones in the history of orthopedic surgery in the 20th century and is an effective treatment for osteoarthritis. In recent years, with the improvement of surgical techniques and the emphasis on perioperative rehabilitation, knee replacement has changed from the traditional concept of “major surgery” to the current routine surgery of “less trauma, less bleeding, less pain, and faster recovery”, which can effectively solve patients’ joint It can effectively solve the symptoms of joint pain, dysfunction and limp, so that patients can quickly go back to their normal life and work. It is important to note that a surface knee replacement is not a complete removal of the knee joint, but rather a removal of the damaged cartilage, the hyperplastic bone, the synovial membrane and a small portion of the sclerotic bone cortex, and a metal prosthesis wrapped around the femur and tibia with a polyethylene pad in between. An artificial joint is used to replace the damaged joint, thereby relieving pain, restoring the knee’s line of force, and increasing the knee’s range of motion. Second, is the knee surface replacement surgery safe? What is the functional recovery after surgery? At present, this surgery is technically mature, commonly performed and very safe. Clinical practice over the past 30 years has shown that most patients can significantly reduce joint pain and improve function after surgery, and can take care of their daily activities. At present, this surgery is technically mature and commonly performed, so patients need not be afraid. Who needs an artificial knee joint replacement? Artificial knee replacement is indicated for: 1. severe osteoarthritis; 2. knee joint destruction and knee deformity caused by ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, trauma, etc. The above patients need knee joint replacement after conservative treatment is ineffective or the effect is not significant and affects daily life. IV. What materials are used for artificial joints? The current artificial joint materials mainly include metal, polymer organic materials and bioceramics. These three types of artificial joint materials have their own advantages and disadvantages, and a reasonable combination of the three can maximize the life of the prosthesis. The artificial joint prosthesis and bone tissue are fixed by a material called polymethylmethacrylate (commonly known as “bone cement”). V. How long does an artificial joint last? The service life of the artificial joint is mainly determined by two things: 1, the wear and tear of the artificial joint in use; 2, the loosening of the prosthesis caused by wear particles. The strength and wear resistance of the artificial joint material is tested by hundreds of times of wear and tear, high-quality imported artificial joints, generally can meet the normal use of patients more than 20-30 years. However, in general, the younger the age, the heavier the weight, and the more active the joint, the shorter the life span of the joint. Orthopedic surgeons are currently working with engineers and material scientists to improve artificial joint materials, processes and surgical techniques. While patients enjoy the benefits of artificial joints, they should also take care of them as much as possible, as strenuous exercise or overuse can shorten their lifespan. VI. How long should I stay in the hospital if I have surgery? After 1-2 days of necessary preoperative examination and laboratory tests, patients can be operated if there is no contraindication to surgery, and can be considered for discharge after 3-4 days of functional recovery after surgery.