Knee replacement surgery is performed under general anesthesia. It lasts between 50 minutes and 2 hours and requires about 5 days of hospitalization.
The orthopedic surgeon begins by making an incision in the front part of the knee. The inner part of the patella is then pushed back (to facilitate access to the joint) and worn cartilage, inflammatory tissue and bony growths are removed.
The surgeon then proceeds to the prosthesis placement. This step must be done in a meticulous manner to ensure perfect stability and mobility of the knee. The incision is finally stitched with absorbable sutures.