When your knee doesn’t respond to conservative treatment options including medications, physical therapy or injections, knee replacement surgery may be an option.
There are two types of replacement surgeries: total knee replacement, the more commonly performed of the two, and partial knee replacement. Our skilled physicians will work closely with you to determine which knee replacement option is best.
Total Knee Replacement
A knee replacement is a surgical procedure for the management of advanced arthritis, a condition where the cartilage (the smooth shock absorbing part of the joint) is degraded allowing bone to rub on bone. This results in chronic inflammation, pain and stiffness of the joint which is made worse by activity.
Knee replacement surgery is the treatment for advanced arthritis of the knee. During the procedure, the surgeon removes only the joint surface on the bones of the knee joint and replaces them with a metal implant. A plastic spacer is placed between the components to prevent the implants from rubbing together, and therefore the bone no longer rubs on the bone. After surgery, patients can expect to walk the same day and begin working with physical therapy to restore strength and mobility. Surgery can be done outpatient or with a short stay in the hospital. After the recovery period, patients can expect significantly improved pain and function and return to most activities.
Partial Knee Replacement
If the arthritis is limited to only one small portion of the joint, partial knee replacement may be an option. Rather than resurfacing the entire joint, the surgeon will only resurface the damaged portion of the knee. This allows the patient to keep their ACL, PCL and other non-damaged structures of the knee. This results in a faster recovery, better range of motion and a more natural feeling of the knee.
To ensure optimal outcomes and a safe recovery after joint replacement surgery, we follow our standardized total joint pathways. We evaluate many potential risk factors including diabetes control, smoking status and BMI, and will refer patients to the appropriate specialist(s) prior to surgery to address any modifiable risk factors. Additionally, we provide total joint education classes to help patients prepare for their recovery after surgery. These pathways help us minimize surgical complications, optimize patient outcomes and improve the patient experience.
If you are having trouble with your knees, schedule an appointment with one of our providers.
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