Knee Replacement Specialist

What is a knee replacement?

Also known as knee arthroplasty, knee replacement is a surgical procedure that aims to relieve pain and restore mobility to severely damaged knee joints. Total knee replacements are among the most successful procedures in modern medicine.

As one of the most integral joints in your body, your knees help you move throughout your day. Knee pain from injuries or arthritis can interfere with your ability to perform simple activities, such as walking or climbing up and down stairs. In some cases, knee pain may be severe enough to leave you in discomfort during rest.

When would I need a knee replacement?

Knee replacement is never the first line of treatment for knee pain. The team at the Orthopaedic Institute of Henderson always exhausts all possible conservative treatments before recommending any type of surgery.

The Orthopaedic Institute of Henderson performs knee replacement procedures to repair damage due to several conditions, such as:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Post-traumatic arthritis
• Knee fractures
• Bone deformities in the knee joint
• Revision surgery to correct a failed knee replacement

If you continue to suffer from knee pain that interferes with daily activities despite treatment, your Orthopaedic Institute of Henderson provider may suggest a knee replacement. They take time to explain the risks and benefits of knee replacement surgery so you can make an informed decision with confidence.

What should I expect from a knee replacement procedure?

First, your provider thoroughly evaluates your knee and reviews your medical history to ensure you’re a good candidate for a knee replacement. Then, they discuss the best surgical options for your particular condition.

Total knee replacement surgery is an outpatient or overnight inpatient procedure that your surgeon performs using general anesthesia. Once you’re asleep, your Orthopaedic Institute of Henderson provider will make an incision, exposing the bone beneath. Then, they remove the damaged cartilage and a small amount of the bone that they replace with metal implants that are either cemented or pressed into the bone. Finally, your surgeon may resurface your patella and insert a smooth spacer into your joint to facilitate fluid movement within the joint. 

The entire procedure usually takes no more than 1 or 2 hours, though you may need to spend some additional time in the hospital to recover. 

Whenever possible, the team at the Orthopaedic Institute of Henderson performs knee replacements using minimally invasive surgery.

To learn more about your options for knee replacement surgery, call the Orthopaedic Institute of Henderson or book an appointment online today.