Total Knee Replacement

Total Knee Replacement Surgery

Total knee replacement surgery is one of the most common bone surgeries in the United States. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, more than 750,000 knee replacements are performed each year in the U.S. Over 90% of these total knee replacements have successful functionality 15 to 20 years after the procedures took place. EmergeOrtho Knee Replacement Specialists are the statewide leaders in knee care and knee replacement surgery.

Total Knee Replacement Surgical Options

Technology advancements in the total knee replacement surgical field have opened up a number of procedural options for patients. EmergeOrtho’s highly trained specialists offer several surgical options for knee replacements, including:

• Total Knee Replacements (minimally-invasive, robotic, or computer-assisted)
• Partial (Unicompartmental) Joint Replacement (robotically assisted)
• Joint Resurfacing Procedures
• Osteotomies
• Utilization of the OXFORD and Mako Implants (availability dependent on location)
• Outpatient Knee Replacement
• Staged and Simultaneous Bilateral Total Knee Replacements

Using computers and robots, surgeons can customize a surgery, mapping an individual’s anatomy and more precisely make replacements with minimal invasion. Our specialists conduct an in-depth examination of your knee and develop an individualized knee replacement treatment plan aimed at relieving any pain and restoring functionality. With several locations across North Carolina, finding the right location is the first step to receiving information on total knee replacements.

Total Knee Replacement vs. Partial Knee Replacement

The two most common knee replacement surgeries performed at EmergeOrtho are full knee replacements and partial knee replacements (or knee resurfacing). During the surgery, doctors replace the damaged surface of the knee joint with metal and plastic implants.

Full knee replacement involves four steps:

1. A vertical incision is made over the knee to expose the joint.
2. Damaged cartilage surfaces and some small areas of underlying bone are removed.
3. Metal implants are inserted in place of the removed cartilage and bone. If applicable, the kneecap is also resurfaced with a plastic button.
4. A special polymer plastic spacer is inserted between the metal components to ensure smooth movement.

A partial knee replacement or knee resurfacing procedure is recommended for patients who have damage to a particular compartment of the knee, not the entire knee. The surgery is very similar to a full knee replacement procedure, except the healthy cartilage and bones, as well as all of the ligaments, are kept intact. Only the damaged cartilage is affected.

Benefits of a partial knee replacement surgery may include:

• Quicker recovery time
• Less postoperative pain
• Less blood loss
• More natural feeling

Partial knee replacement or knee resurfacing is the preferred surgical method for more physically active or younger patients who no longer have cartilage in certain areas of the knee. Knee resurfacing offers the patient a faster recovery time and a higher likelihood of returning to a more vigorous level of physical activity.

Pre- and Post-Knee Surgery Instructions for Reduced Pain and Faster Recovery

Total knee replacement is a complex surgery that can be painful. The incision and the manipulation of the knee joint when inserting the replacement parts can lead to pain immediately after the procedure. Patients can also experience pain caused by the healing, rotating and stretching of the knee as part of the recovery.

The surgeons at EmergeOrtho are very sensitive to their patients’ pain issues and go to great lengths to ensure a positive, less painful recovery. They are highly skilled in the use of computer and robotic surgical technologies that aim to reduce pain and speed up recovery. The team at EmergeOrtho creates a comprehensive, personalized pre- and post- surgery plan for each patient. Patients are given explicit pre- and post-surgery instructions to prepare for their personal recovery, including nutrition, exercise and physical therapy.

There are several exercises your doctors may recommend you do during the weeks leading up to your knee replacement surgery that aim to improve your knee’s functional performance, muscle and joint strength, range of motion and flexibility. The exercise plan prepared by your doctor or physical therapist will be individual to you. Patients who follow their specific instructions Emerge Stronger. Healthier. Better.

Pre-Surgery Health Considerations for a Better Recovery

Our goal is to have you as healthy as possible prior to surgery to insure a better recovery. Several medical conditions are associated with an increased risk of complications in patients who are considering total knee replacement surgery. Fortunately, with proper treatment, many of these conditions are controllable, allowing the replacement to proceed safely. Our team assesses your risk by measuring several factors and can recommend appropriate steps to correct many issues. Areas that we screen for include:

• Weight
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Low Blood Counts
• Malnutrition
• Other Illnesses
• Skin Coverage over the Knee

An in-depth consultation with one of our doctors will be able to determine your candidacy and if any necessary pre-operative steps need to be taken.

Contact Us

If you are experiencing pain or reduced motion and flexibility in your knee(s), you may be a good candidate for full knee replacement or partial knee replacement surgery. Contact our specialists at EmergeOrtho for a personalized evaluation.