Knee replacement in a nutshell:
Prepare the bone: The damaged cartilage surfaces at the ends of the femur and tibia are removed along with a small amount of underlying bone.
Position the metal implants: The removed cartilage and bone is replaced with metal components that recreate the surface of the joint. These metal parts may be cemented or "press-fit" into the bone.
Resurface the patella: The undersurface of the patella (kneecap) is cut and resurfaced with a plastic button.
Insert a spacer: A medical-grade plastic spacer is inserted between the metal components to create a smooth gliding surface.
A wild ride, my friends - a wild ride.
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