1. Health

Osteoarthritis: Explained With Pictures

From , former About.com Guide

Updated November 20, 2011

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
Osteoarthritis: Explained With Pictures
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.

Related Video
Knee Replacement Surgery
Prenatal Yoga Head-to-Knee Pose
  1. About.com
  2. Health
  3. Osteoarthritis
  4. Osteoarthritis 101
  5. Knee Osteoarthritis - Knee Replacement - Knee Osteoarthritis Treatments

©2013 About.com. All rights reserved.

We comply with the HONcode standard
for trustworthy health
information: verify here.