Together with the posterior cruciate and lateral ligaments, the anterior cruciate ligament (or ACL, as it is known) stabilizes the knee joint. In this way, it protects structures such as cartilage and menisci inside the joint. ACL tears are usually caused by accidents when skiing, playing football or during similar sporting activities. They are often associated with injuries to the menisci, lateral ligaments, and cartilage. The initial pain and swelling is followed by a feeling of instability.

Various diseases and injuries may lead to typical wear and tear of the surfaces of the knee joint. The result is increasing pain and restricted mobility. If all possible conservative treatment has been tried, an artificial knee joint has to be considered. If the entire joint is affected, as you can see in the video, the only remaining option is often a total knee joint replacement, which is also called a total prosthesis or total knee implant.

During a person’s lifetime, changes in the leg axis may occur from natural causes or due to disease or injury. Malalignment of the leg axis may lead to osteoarthritis of the inner or outer side of the knee joint – often with resultant pain in the damaged area. This video shows you how the axis can be corrected by a wedge osteotomy when, for example, only the inner side of the knee joint is affected by arthritis.