What is knee replacement?

Knee replacement, also known as knee arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure to replace a damaged or worn-out knee joint with an artificial one.

Our orthopedic surgeons remove damaged bone and cartilage around your knee and replace them with an artificial joint made from metal alloys, high-grade plastics and polymers.

This procedure can help relieve pain, improve mobility and restore function to the knee. Knee replacement surgery can treat severe osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or other conditions that have damaged the knee joint.

Who is a candidate for knee replacement?

Knee replacement surgery may be an option if you have severe knee pain and stiffness that limits your daily activities, and nonsurgical treatments have not helped relieve your pain. You'd also need to be able to tolerate the risks of surgery and the recovery process.

Your doctor will consider a number of factors when determining if knee replacement surgery may be right for you, including:

• your age, overall health and medical history
• the severity of your knee pain and stiffness
• the extent of damage to your knee joint
• your activity level
• your expectations for after surgery

If you're considering knee replacement surgery, it's important to talk to your doctor about its risks and benefits to make sure it's the right choice for you.

What to expect

Before the surgery

• Work with your surgeon and primary care doctor to help you get medically prepared for surgery.
• Make any necessary lifestyle changes well before your surgery date. Your doctor may recommend lowering your A1C for diabetes, becoming smoke-free and improving your weight or nutritional status.
• Arrange for a friend or family member to stay with you for the first week after surgery. You'll need their help with meals, medications, walking, personal care and transportation.

During the surgery

• Surgery typically lasts one to two hours.
• You may be able to go home the same day or after an overnight hospital stay.

After the surgery

• You'll learn how to get in and out of bed, sit in a chair and walk with a walker before your discharge.
• We'll provide education on pain and swelling management and ways to progress your walking and other activities at home.
• Expect pain that will improve throughout the recovery period after postoperative swelling at the surgical site goes away.
• You'll have a follow-up appointment with your surgeon one to two weeks after surgery to assess your incision, mobility and comfort.
• Recovery time will be different for every person. In general, people are 80% to 90% recovered by three months after surgery and fully recovered by one year.

Benefits of knee replacement

Knee replacement surgery can greatly improve your quality of life. Some key benefits include:

• reduced pain
• improved mobility
• ability to do everyday and favorite activities
• increased independence