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The operation is performed under general anesthesia. The orthopedic surgeon makes an incision over the affected knee. The patella (knee cap) is moved out of the way, and the surgeon shaves the heads of the femur and tibia to remove any rough parts. This allows helps the prosthesis to adhere better. The two parts of the prosthesis are implanted into the thigh bone and the tibia bone using a special bone cement.
Review Date 6/4/2025
Updated by: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
