Knee replacement surgery replaces parts of injured or worn-out knee joints. The surgery can help ease pain and make the knee work better. During the surgery, damaged bone and cartilage are replaced with parts made of metal and plastic.

To decide whether a knee replacement is right for you, a surgeon checks your knee’s range of motion, stability, and strength. X-rays help show the extent of damage. The right artificial joints and surgical techniques for you depend on your age, weight, activity level, knee size and shape, and overall health.