The procedure for knee replacement surgery typically involves the following steps:

Anesthesia: The patient is given either general anesthesia, which puts them to sleep, or regional anesthesia, which numbs the lower half of the body.

Incision: The surgeon makes an incision on the front of the knee to access the joint.

Removal of damaged tissue: The surgeon removes the damaged cartilage and bone from the ends of the thighbone (femur) and shinbone (tibia) and the kneecap (patella).

Preparation of the bone: The surgeon prepares the bone surfaces for the artificial joint components by smoothing and shaping the ends of the thighbone and shinbone.

Placement of the artificial joint: The surgeon attaches the artificial joint components to the ends of the thighbone and shinbone and the underside of the kneecap.

Testing and alignment: The surgeon tests the movement and alignment of the new joint to ensure it is functioning properly.

Closure: The surgeon closes the incision with stitches or staples and covers it with a sterile dressing.

Recovery: The patient is moved to a recovery area where they will be monitored closely for several hours before being transferred to a hospital room.

The length of the procedure varies depending on the type of knee replacement surgery and the patient’s individual needs. Generally, the surgery takes between one and three hours to complete. Physical therapy and rehabilitation are typically required after the surgery to help the patient regain strength and mobility in their knee.