knee replacement at pima ortho
Pima Ortho offers a range of effective knee joint preservation procedures to treat knee joint problems without requiring knee replacement surgery. The choice of knee preservation treatment is based on several important factors, including the patient’s age, overall health and medical history, as well as the type and extent of the knee injury and underlying conditions.
Knee Replacement at Pima Ortho
The knee has a highly complex anatomical structure, and as one of the most stressed joints in the body, it is also prone to wear and tear, arthritis and injury. The damage to cartilage around your knee bones can keep your knee joint from functioning properly, as well as debilitating pain. If you suffer from severe knee pain and limited mobility due to a degenerative condition such as knee osteoarthritis, knee replacement surgery may be the right solution for you.
At Pima Orthopedic Physicians, our team of board-certified orthopedic surgeons and multidisciplinary specialists has led the way in hip and knee replacement procedures for over 40 years. Using our comprehensive approach, our orthopedic knee replacement specialists will create a customized treatment plan for your individual needs, ensuring the highest standard of care.
What is Knee Arthroplasty?
Knee arthroplasty (also called knee replacement surgery) is a safe and effective surgical procedure that involves removing damaged cartilage and bone from the knee joint and replacing bone surfaces with artificial components.
In partial knee arthroplasty, only the affected compartment of the knee is replaced. In contrast, a total knee arthroplasty typically involves replacement of all three compartments of the knee. Essentially, in knee arthroplasty, artificial components made of metal, plastic and ceramic are used to ‘cap’ the ends of the bones forming the knee joint (the tibia and femur), as well as the kneecap.
Knee arthroplasty is usually performed when there is significant damage to the knee joint due to conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or post-injury arthritis.
Should I Get a Knee Replacement?
It is important to talk to your doctor to determine whether knee arthroplasty is right for you. Before considering knee arthroplasty surgery, your doctor may first recommend exploring less invasive treatment options first.
In addition, before recommending knee replacement surgery, your doctor will carry out a complete examination of your knee, including X-rays and blood tests, while also going over your medical history. If you have the following symptoms, you may benefit from total knee replacement:
- You have severe knee pain and/or knee stiffness which interferes with your daily activities and limits your mobility, including walking, going up and down stairs, and getting up after sitting.
- You have a knee deformity, such as the knee bowing in or out
- You have knee pain while at rest, including at night
- You suffer from chronic knee inflammation and swelling, which does not improve with medications
- You have tried other treatment options, including non-invasive knee preservation treatment, but they were not effective in reducing your knee pain and inflammation
What to Expect from Knee Replacement Surgery
During knee replacement surgery, the orthopedic surgeon makes an incision across the front of the knee to access the kneecap. Then, the surgeon prepares the bone surfaces by removing damaged cartilage from the femur and tibia. The removed bone surfaces are then replaced with artificial components, and a plastic spacer is inserted between the artificial surfaces to ensure smooth gliding between them. The implant materials used in knee arthroplasty include medical grade metal alloys, ceramic materials and plastic components.
Preparing for Your Knee Replacement Procedure
Prior to knee replacement surgery, the patient will receive their list of required pre-surgical appointments and will also meet with one of our board-certified joint replacement specialists for their initial consultation.
The patient will then need to return to the clinic for a day of pre-operative testing and education about the procedure. The testing will include a blood test, an X-ray and, sometimes, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Generally, the patient receives general anesthesia prior to the knee replacement procedure. Your doctor will determine whether you need spinal or epidural anesthesia instead. Typically, a total knee replacement surgery takes about 1-2 hours.
In addition, the patient should also prepare their home to make post-operative recovery more comfortable, as well as arrange for someone to bring meals and pick up medications from the pharmacy for the first days after surgery.
Knee Replacement Surgery Recovery
After knee arthroplasty, some patients need to stay at the hospital for 1-2 days, while others may be able to go home on the same day following surgery. The patient typically receives intravenous antibiotics for a day after knee replacement surgery, as well as medication for pain and to prevent blood clots. Physical therapy treatment usually begins within a week of knee replacement surgery and includes exercises to strengthen the knee and improve the range of motion. At Pima Ortho, your orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist will create a customized physiotherapy treatment plan for you, from your initial diagnosis to surgery and recovery.Most patents can return to their normal daily activities within 6 weeks following knee replacement surgery, while it can take from 4-6 months for complete recovery after the knee arthroplasty procedure.
What are the Risks of Knee Replacement Surgery?
Knee knee replacement surgery is one of the most successful procedures in medicine, and is one of the most common surgeries performed in the U.S. Moreover, knee arthroplasty is a safe and effective treatment option to reduce pain and improve knee joint function, helping patients resume their normal activities. However, as with any other medical procedure, knee replacement surgery also involves some risks, including the following:- Reactions to anesthesia
- Infection
- Formation of blood clots
- Nerve or vascular injuries
- Joint instability
- Bone fractures