Which term describes a knee joint replacement?

• A. Total Knee Replacement
• B. Knee Arthroplasty
• C. Arthrodesis
• D. Osteotomy

Answer: (A)

Replacing a joint is described as an arthroplasty, and when the entire knee joint is replaced, the precise term is total knee replacement. This phrasing signals that all of the knee’s articular surfaces—the femur, tibia, and often the patella—are being rebuilt with implants. It’s the most specific way to describe a full joint replacement.

Knee arthroplasty is a broader term that covers any knee joint replacement, including partial replacements, so it’s correct in a general sense but not as specific as a total knee replacement. Arthrodesis means fusing the joint so it no longer moves, which is the opposite of a replacement. Osteotomy involves cutting bone to realign structures, not replacing the joint itself.