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The knee joint consists of the end of the femur (thigh bone) and the top of the tibia (shin bone). The end of the femur has two rounded condyles which effectively act as runners or wheels of the bone which sit on the more relatively flat shin bone. The end of femur and top of the tibia is normally covered with a smooth white glistening surface called articular cartilage. Sometimes this white cartilage gets worn away and the underlying bone becomes exposed. When this happens the joint becomes painful, it often swells and can limit function.
Knee replacement (or Total Knee Arthroplasty) usually involves resurfacing the damaged cartilage surface of the entire end of femur (thigh bone), the top of your tibia (shin bone) and most times the back your patella (knee cap).
Knee arthritis often affects only one side of your knee, and the remaining parts of the knee can be healthy. When this occurs, your surgeon can use the Align 360® Unicompartmental Knee System which resurfaces only this damaged part, saving the rest of your knee with its healthy cartilage. The implant can restore function to your knee, and relieve pain. Most times this procedure is done in lieu of a full knee replacement. If the knee was to develop progressive arthritis, the Unicompartmental knee can be removed with minimal bone loss and converted to a full knee replacement.
There are many benefits to the Align 360 Unicompartmental Knee Replacement. These include a smaller incision, less pain, little to no hospitalization. The recovery period is dramatically reduced as well compared to a total knee replacement. The Align 360 Unicompartmental Knee has been designed to allow your surgeon to implant the device with a shorter, more reproducible and accurate manner. The component is a state of the art high performance design intended to improve motion, pain and function.
The Align 360 System is just one option available to you and your surgeon. Only your orthopedic surgeon can determine if you are a candidate for this system or if another type of implant would better suit your unique situation. All surgery has possible risks and adverse effects, please discuss these with your surgeon.