Are images of knee replacement surgery available online?

Some images of knee replacement surgery are available on the WebMD and Mayo Clinic websites. The pictures include a pre-surgery image of the knee showing the cartilage and bone that needs replacement and a post-surgery image showing the position of the artificial knee joints.

Knee replacement surgery may be deemed necessary because of severe arthritis pain, a knee injury or a wear and tear illness, states WebMD. During the surgery, the doctor removes the damaged cartilage and bone before replacing with the artificial knee joint.

Artificial knee joints are made of high-density plastic, which replaces the cartilage and kneecap, and metal alloy, which replaces the shinbone and thighbone, notes Mayo Clinic.