The knee is the most commonly replaced joint in the body. The wear and tear put on the knee joint often result in extensive damage. There are many effective, non-invasive treatments for knee damage and arthritis that can help improve mobility and reduce pain. However, some patients may benefit from undergoing knee replacement surgery. At Ortho Sport & Spine Physicians, we offer our patients a wide variety of advanced joint treatment options, including replacement surgery.
Knee joint replacement surgery has been performed for over 50 years, with an estimated 600,000 procedures completed each year in the U.S. The success rate is high, and artificial knee joints can last for 15 years or more in over 90% of these surgeries. The artificial joints are designed to last and are made from plastics, metal alloys and polymers. While we have had excellent success rates with performing knee replacement surgery for our patients, we always recommend exploring all conservative options before choosing surgery. Our practice offers many innovative treatment options. They are less invasive and can provide improved mobility and pain relief, helping our patients delay or avoid joint replacement surgery.
Is Knee Replacement Surgery Right for You?
Knee joint replacement is usually reserved for those who have explored other treatments with little success. If you are considering knee replacement surgery, you have likely tried injections, physical therapy and possibly endoscopic repairs to your knee. The decision to undergo any surgery should be carefully considered. While it can help improve your mobility and quality of life, artificial joints are not made to last for longer than two decades. Good candidates for knee replacement surgery may have one or more of the following qualities:
- Joint disease that is irreversible
- Unable to manage knee pain with conservative treatments
- Good skin health and coverage over the knee
- Weight within guidelines for artificial joints
- Experiencing knee pain when at rest
- Knee joint degeneration or deformation
- Knee pain or stiffness limits mobility and daily activities
Most people wait until later in life to consider total knee replacement surgery. Osteoarthritis damage to the knee joint is one of the most common reasons for completing a joint replacement. Many people will undergo a partial knee joint replacement to delay the need for complete replacement.
What to Expect with Knee Replacement Surgery
Our orthopedic surgeons and medical staff at Ortho Sport & Spine Physicians can help you prepare mentally and physically for knee replacement surgery. We want to ensure it is the right choice for the individual before we decide to perform surgery. If the patient, surgeon and medical team choose to move forward with replacing the knee joint, we begin planning and preparing for the procedure. A full medical screening is performed to ensure the patient is healthy and a viable candidate. Patients can expect to meet with our orthopedic team a few times before the scheduled surgery to go over any preparation and testing before the procedure.
Knee replacement surgery usually only takes two to three hours. It is common for patients to stay one or more days in a hospital for observation. The first few weeks after surgery will require limited mobility. Physical therapy will begin right away, usually the first day after surgery. Patients who follow their recovery plan may be well on the way to full recovery by the end of three months, with most people fully recovered at six months.
If you have chronic knee pain and mobility issues from arthritis, injuries or other diseases affecting the knee joint, come see us at Ortho Sport & Spine Physicians. We offer innovative treatments for knee joint pain and functional issues, including knee replacement surgery. Contact us today to schedule your consultation with one of our orthopedic specialists.