Knee Replacement

Knee replacement surgery involves removing all or part of the knee joint and replacing the damaged parts with an artificial joint. These are made of metals and plastics.

It may take months to recover fully, but the relief can last many years or even a lifetime.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of needing a knee replacement are:

• Severe knee pain that limits your everyday activities
• Moderate or severe knee pain while resting, day or night
• Long-lasting knee inflammation and swelling that doesn’t get better with rest or medications
• A bowing in or out of your leg
• Knee stiffness
• No pain relief from NSAIDs or can’t tolerate them

Treatment

Total Knee Replacement: This is the most common form. Your surgeon replaces the surfaces of the thigh bone and shin bone that connects to the knee.

Partial Knee Replacement: If arthritis affects only one side of your knee, this surgery may be a possibility. However, it’s only right for you if you have strong knee ligaments. Partial knee replacement can be performed through a smaller cut than is needed for total knee replacement.

Kneecap Replacement: This replaces only the under-surface of the kneecap, but some surgeons advise against this procedure, because total knee replacement surgery has a higher rate of success.

Complex (or revision) Knee Replacement: This procedure may be needed if you have very severe arthritis or if you’ve already had two or three knee replacement surgeries.

Woodworth Orthopedics and Sports Medicine will help you decide how to best treat your knee arthritis. Call Dr. Woodworth today at (702) 545-6194 for an appointment.