Knee Orthopedic Replacement Surgery
Knee cartilage replacement surgery replaces damaged or worn out knee joints to alleviate pain and restore range of motion. This surgery is also known as knee arthroplasty, or knee resurfacing. Patients who suffer from knee degeneration, osteoarthritis of rheumatoid arthritis of the knee can benefit from this type of knee surgery. Certain types of knee injuries may also lead to chronic knee pain that eventually require knee cartilage replacement surgery. Knee replacement surgery is a common procedure with over 600,000 surgeries performed each year across the United States. Most patients that undergo this routine procedure are between the ages of 50 to 80. The good news is that approximately 90% of all patients experience a significant improvement in knee function. Pain is drastically decreased while mobility such as the ability to bend the knee to sit, stand, or walk is significantly improved. But an invasive procedure such as this can be daunting. While statistics show that this surgery is well worth the recovery time, it is still promising to know that you are under the care of a qualified, highly skilled orthopedic knee surgeon. AICA Orthopedics knee surgeons have a vast knowledge and working experience with knee replacement surgeons to ensure that you are in very capable hands throughout diagnosis, surgery and the recovery process.
What Causes Knee Pain?
Over time, the cartilage between the knee joint can wear down, causing the bones to rub together. There are three types of common causes of knee degeneration over time that can require knee replacement surgery. Osteoarthritis is just the normal aging that happens to our bodies as we get older. Because the knee joint is crucial to movement and motion, it is prone to inflammation and bound to break down over time, leading to osteoarthritis. This type of arthritis is usually found in patients over the age of 50. The friction of bones rubbing on bones eventually becomes so painful that something must be done. Another common problem that can lead to knee replacement surgery is rheumatoid arthritis, or inflammatory arthritis. Inflammation of the membrane around the knee joint leads to chronic pain, soreness, and stiffness. Knee injuries can also lead to arthritis. This is called post-traumatic arthritis. Damage to ligaments and bones due to injury can cause cartilage to break down, leading to pain and suffering. When nothing else no longer works to alleviate knee pain, it could be time to visit your AICA Orthopedics knee specialists to discuss your options, including knee replacement surgery to find out if you are a good candidate.
About Knee Replacement Surgery
Knee replacement is a surgical reconstruction of the knee joint and involves replacing the degenerative knee joint with a prosthetic. There are two types of knee replacement surgery, partial knee replacement or total knee replacement. Partial knee replacement only replaces one side of the knee. Less bone is removed which results in a smaller incision and lower risks post-surgery. However, this type of knee surgery isn’t always a permanent fix. Total knee replacement surgery is just what it sounds like as the entire knee joint is replaced. While this is potentially a more invasive surgery that can last between 1 to 3 hours, it has a better prognosis for lasting long term and has increased chances of alleviating pain and increasing mobility. This is the most common type of knee surgery.
Support Throughout the Process
Diagnosing your knee problem is important to receiving quality treatment that meets your individual needs. At AICA Orthopedics, we offer everything you need for full treatment all at one location, making life easier for you. High tech imaging services can perform MRI scans to give orthopedic specialists a better look at your knee for an accurate diagnosis. Then orthopedic specialists can move forward with the necessary treatment plan, which may include knee replacement surgery. After surgery, physical therapy is required to continue to develop motion and movement of the new knee joint. Our on-site skilled physical therapists will be by your side as you recover. We have neurologists, pain management specialists, or chiropractors on-site to work with you throughout the course of treatment to see that you make a full recovery. At AICA Orthopedics, rest assured that you are in extremely capable hands. Our number one goal is to see you live a full, pain-free life. Give us a call today for more information.