The terms TKR and TKA refer to the same surgical procedure; there is no difference between them.
Understanding Total Knee Replacement/Arthroplasty
The acronyms TKR and TKA both stand for the same surgery, which is the replacement of the knee joint. While they are different acronyms they both mean the same thing:
- TKR stands for Total Knee Replacement.
- TKA stands for Total Knee Arthroplasty.
The terminology "replacement" and "arthroplasty" are used interchangeably within the medical community to describe the surgical procedure that replaces the damaged articular surfaces of the knee joint. According to the reference, both TKA and TKR involve replacing the femoral condyles and tibial plateau with smooth metal and highly cross-linked polyethylene plastic.
Key Components of the Surgery
- Damaged Areas: The surgery targets the damaged articular surfaces of the knee joint, mainly the femoral condyles and the tibial plateau. These are the areas where the bones come together at the knee and are often affected by arthritis or other degenerative conditions.
- Replacement Materials: These surfaces are replaced using materials such as:
- Smooth metal for durable joint function.
- Highly cross-linked polyethylene plastic which acts as a cushion between the metal components.
In Summary
| Term | Full Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| TKR | Total Knee Replacement | The surgical procedure to replace the knee joint |
| TKA | Total Knee Arthroplasty | The surgical procedure to replace the knee joint |
Therefore, both TKR and TKA describe the exact same surgical operation and there is no difference between them.
