Cartilage damage and osteoarthritis of the knee joint occur in all degrees of severity and with a wide variety of distribution patterns. Therefore, there is no such thing as a “standard treatment.” Thanks to our various surgical techniques and the implant options available, we are able to offer our patients seamless care – from joint-preserving procedures to revision surgery.
If joint-preserving therapies are no longer an option, a thorough diagnostic process (X-ray, MRI, and in some cases even arthroscopic surgery) is necessary to assess the extent of cartilage damage and the condition of the menisci, cruciate ligaments, and collateral ligaments. Together with the patient, taking into account factors such as their sporting ambitions, implant durability, and other individual aspects, we then select the most suitable treatment approach.
Depending on the situation, both total knee replacements and various types of partial knee replacements, or even mini prostheses, may be considered. A “total” knee replacement generally refers to a surface replacement – meaning that only the surfaces of the femur and tibia are replaced, while as much natural bone, joint capsule, and ligament structures as possible are preserved. The underside of the patella usually only needs to be replaced in rare cases.
The goal – and the challenge – of the surgery is to restore the full range of motion of the knee joint while achieving high stability. Modern surgical techniques are used that intentionally avoid full correction of the leg axis and instead aim to restore the knee’s original anatomical alignment (known as kinematic alignment) to achieve the best possible result.
Partial prostheses are available in different variants depending on the pattern of cartilage wear. They are used to preserve healthy parts of the knee joint and enable faster rehabilitation compared to full knee replacement. If necessary, 3D technologies can be used for both full and partial replacements to achieve millimeter-precise implantation, and even custom-made prostheses specifically tailored to the patient can be employed.
Especially in complex cases or in patients with unusual knee anatomy, these techniques can significantly simplify and improve surgery.In some cases, custom-made implants are even indispensable. These PSI methods (Patient-Specific Instrumentation) have been routinely used at Procelsio Clinic for more than five years and represent a valuable extension of our treatment spectrum.
