Total Knee Replacement Surgery
What is Total Knee Replacement Surgery?
If your knee has been severely damaged by arthritis or injury, and it’s difficult to perform daily tasks such as walking, climbing stairs, or sitting, then you may be a candidate for total knee replacement.
From surgery through recovery, MidAmerica’s fellowship-trained physicians and knee specialists work with precision and care, striving for optimum results for each and every patient.
Common Causes of Knee Pain and Damage
Dr. Bedikian is experienced in treating patients experiencing varying causes of knee pain and damage. The most common causes of knee pain and damage are:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Post-Traumatic Arthritis
Examination at MidAmerica
The board-certified physicians at MidAmerica’s Total Joint Clinic are dedicated to diagnosing and treating your knee pain using modern nonoperative and operative techniques. Your physician will:
- Ask you to indicate the severity of your knee pain on a pain scale.
- Ask questions regarding any other health conditions you may have.
- Palpate the knee to check for pain, warmth, and effusion.
- Test your knee’s range of motion and listen for popping, grinding, or clicking sounds.
- Check your knee ligaments, through performing a variety of tests which may include: the valgus and varus test, the posterior drawer test, the Lachman test, the anterior drawer test, and the pivot shift test.
- Order an X-ray or MRI to determine if there are any problems, such as deterioration, with the structure of your knee.
Treatment at MidAmerica’s Total Joint Clinic
A variety of non-surgical treatment exist for managing knee pain, some of which include:
- Exercise and physical therapy to rehabilitate and strengthen the damaged knee.
- Splinting (or bracing) to improve knee alignment and reduce both joint pressure and pain. Bracing will provide additional stability and prevent the knee from giving-out during activity.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs), such as Ibuprofen and naproxen, to reduce pain and swelling caused by arthritis.
- Corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation and ease joint pain, usually injected directly into the joint.
If you suffer from severe knee pain and non-surgical methods have not worked in managing your symptoms, you may be a candidate for knee replacement surgery.
Fortunately, knee replacements are one of the most successful procedures in all of medicine, with more than 600,000 knee replacements performed each year in the United States. The two most common knee replacement surgeries we perform at MidAmerica include:
Partial Knee Replacement
Partial knee surgery treats only the parts of the knee affected by osteoarthritis. A partial knee replacement offers unique benefits when compared to total knee replacement, which include a shorter surgery time and recovery time.
Total Knee Replacement
If your knee pain or osteoarthritis is so severe that a partial knee replacement will not help, you may require a total knee replacement, which surgically replaces all of your knee joint compartments. These include the inside (medial), outside (lateral) and front (patellofemoral) parts of the knee.
During the procedure, the surgeon uses a surgical saw to make a series of incisions along the femoral and tibial component of the knee, removing damaged cartilage from the bone. The exposed bone is then sealed with bone cement and the femoral and tibial components are inserted (the surgeon may also choose to replace the back of your knee cap with a plastic surfacing component). Once the implants are inserted, the surgeon will guide your knee through a variety of movements to ensure a fluid and natural glide.
Recovery
The fellowship-trained physicians and knee specialists at MidAmerica’s Total Joint Clinic in Palos Hills and Mokena are experts in the field of knee arthroplasty and our on-site Certified Physical Therapists (CPT) will aid you along your recovery journey every step of the way.
Total knee replacement surgery is considered a major procedure and a full recovery typically takes 6-8 weeks.
Physical therapy is vital to a smooth recovery. The on-site Certified Physical Therapists at MidAmerica will be there to help you along your recovery journey. Within 24 hours of surgery, patients are encouraged to walk with the aid of a walker. Your physician will outline a strengthening routine along with a variety of stretches to increase range of motion and inhibit the development of scar tissue.
At MidAmerica, we aim to provide the highest quality care marked by courtesy, respect and integrity. To make an appointment at our Total Joint Clinic, or to learn more about MidAmerica’s Palos Hills, Mokena, and Chicago clinics and the different treatment options available to you, call (708) 237-7200. Most insurance plans are accepted.
If you would like to learn more about knee replacement surgery, or other orthopaedic conditions, be sure to visit our blog.
Dr. Sarkis Bedikian
Dr. Sarkis Bedikian, a knee specialist, performs specialized knee treatment and surgery at MidAmerica. He has received honors and awards including recognition for medical leadership and induction into academic honor societies.
Whether the issue is a worn hip or knee in need of replacement or revision, Dr. Bedikian strives to dramatically improve the quality of life for his patients.
