Knee replacement surgery (arthoplasty) is an elective procedure for people with severe knee damage and pain. The most common cause of chronic knee pain and disability is arthritis. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and traumatic arthritis are the most common forms of arthritis that cause chronic knee pain. Knee replacement surgery can be total (the entire knee) or partial (portions of the knee). A total knee replacement involves removing the damaged cartilage and bone from the surface of the knee joint and replacing them with a man-made surface of metal and plastic. A partial knee replacement involves replacing only part of the knee joint.

This measure reports infections at individual hospitals as a result of having a knee replacement procedure. 

• CDPHE Annual Report
  
  This report contains data related to hospital-acquired infections that occurred as a result of the following procedures: central lines in adults and neonates, total/partial hip replacements, total/partial knee replacements and coronary artery bypass grafts. This report contains data for infections that occurred between the reporting period of August 1, 2007 through July 31, 2008.
  
  CDPHE 2009 Annual Report