Knee Replacement

What is knee replacement?

Knee replacement is a surgery that replaces a damaged knee joint with an artificial joint. It’s done to relieve severe, chronic pain and reduced mobility that often come along with severely diseased or deteriorated knees. A leading cause of knee replacement is advanced osteoarthritis.

The replacement knee joint, called a prosthesis, is made from metal alloys, medical-grade plastic, and polymers. It replaces the damaged natural joint, and it’s a very successful type of orthopedic surgery.

Knee replacement can be done on just one knee, or both. People who get knee replacement surgery often find that their pain disappears following surgery and they’re better able to live an active lifestyle.

When should I consider knee replacement?

It might be time to consider knee replacement surgery when you’ve tried other treatment options for your knee pain, but haven’t found lasting relief. Signs that you may need a knee replacement include:

• Constant knee pain, even when resting
• Difficulty walking
• Pain when climbing stairs
• Pain when sitting down or standing up

Dr. Downs and the Orthopaedic Specialists team have extensive experience diagnosing and treating knee pain. Your treatment plan may begin with non-invasive or minimally invasive treatment options, like physical therapy or joint injections. But if these conservative methods fail, Dr. Downs may recommend knee replacement. 

What is the knee replacement procedure like?

Knee replacement surgery takes about two hours. The team uses general anesthesia, so you’ll be asleep and unable to feel pain during the procedure. You might be given antibiotics before, during, and after surgery to help prevent infection.

During surgery, Dr. Downs makes an incision on your knee to expose the joint. He cuts away damaged pieces of the joint on your leg bones and replaces them with the prosthetic joint. Before closing the incision, he tests your range of motion to make sure the new joint works properly.

Expect to spend a few days in the hospital following joint replacement surgery. As your body heals, you can gradually increase your activity level to stimulate blood flow to the knee and speed healing.

Knee replacement is a highly successful surgery, but surgery always comes with risks. Dr. Downs gives you guidelines for recovery following knee replacement, and following your recovery plan helps ensure healthy healing. Every patient is different, and recovery from knee replacement can take a few weeks to a few months. 

Trust your joints to the experts at Orthopaedic Specialists. To learn more about your treatment options for knee pain, make an appointment online or by phone.