1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis: Explained With Pictures

By , About.com Guide

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

7 of 8

Knee Replacement Is Last-Resort Treatment Option

Photo © A.D.A.M.
Typically, arthritis patients first try conservative treatments to control knee pain and to try and slow joint damage. If the conservative treatments (medications, injections, braces, physical therapy, heat) are not effective and do not produce a satisfactory response, many patients consider knee replacement as their last-resort treatment option.

The knee replacement prosthesis consists of 3 components: femoral (metal), tibial (plastic in a metal tray), and patellar (plastic). The prosthesis replaces your damaged knee joint.

Explore Osteoarthritis
About.com Special Features

8 Ways to Cut Drug Costs

Learn how to save money on medications with these recommendations. More >

Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds

Keep yourself, and your family, happy and healthy this fall with these tips. More >

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Osteoarthritis
  4. Osteoarthritis 101
  5. Knee Osteoarthritis - Knee Replacement- Knee Osteoarthritis Treatments

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.