When To Seek Emergency Care
Warning signs of a blood clot in the lungs include sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, and coughing. Signs of infection include fever, worsening redness or tenderness of the knee, and pus draining from the surgical wound. If you feel or see any of these symptoms after knee replacement, call your doctor immediately. Call 911 for chest pain or if you are having any trouble breathing.
Minimally Invasive Total Knee Replacement
At Rush, our surgeons are able to perform most knee replacement surgery through a small incision instead of the large 8- to 12-inch incision used in traditional knee replacement.
Your joint replacement surgeon will talk to you about which approach will give you the best results. These are some reasons you may be a good candidate for minimally invasive knee replacement:
- Your knee structure is stable and you don’t have severe bone loss around your knee
- You have not had previous open knee surgery on the same knee
- Your weight is proportionate to your height
There are several potential advantages to minimally invasive total knee replacement:
- Less damage to the muscles and tendons
- Increased range of motion sooner after surgery
- Less blood loss
- Shorter hospital stay
- Faster recovery
What Happens After Knee Arthroplasty
After surgery, you will get moved to a recovery room. The healthcare team will watch you for a short time to make sure you wake up from the anesthesia without complications. Theyll also monitor your vital signs and pain level.
Occasionally, people who have knee replacement surgery go home the same day. If you need to stay in the hospital, it will likely be for one day. Additional time spent in the hospital is based on medical necessity.
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Q&a My Knee Hurts When Should I See A Doctor
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The knee is a hinge joint made of the thigh bone, the shin bone, and the knee cap. The bones are covered with cartilage to absorb shock and protect the knee. The knee joint is held together with ligaments, the Anterior Cruciate Ligament , the Posterior Cruciate Ligament , and the medial and lateral collateral ligaments. Additionally, the knee bones are held together by muscles and tendons. The two groups of muscles that allow a wide range of knee movement are the quadriceps and the hamstrings that are attached to the bone by tendons. If any one or more of these structures are damaged, knee pain can result. Knee pain can be caused by normal daily wear and tear, repetitive use, aging and injury.
Dr. Jorge Chahla is a renowned orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine expert in Chicago whose focus is on complex injuries of the knee, hip and shoulder. Below, he answers your questions about knee pain and when to see a doctor.
Are Stairs Bad For Your Knees
Climbing and descending stairs is particularly difficult for people with knee arthritis. Arthritis causes degeneration of the cartilage that cushions the knee joint. Without protective cushioning, the act of climbing stairs becomes uncomfortable.
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Why Might I Need A Total Knee Replacement
You might need a total knee replacement if you have significant damage to your knee joint. Different types of medical conditions can damage this joint, such as:
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Osteoarthritis
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Injury or fracture of the knee joint
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Bone tumor in the knee joint
This damage might be very painful and limit your normal activities. The procedure may help decrease your pain, improve your joint mobility, and quality of life. Usually, healthcare providers only recommend total knee replacement when you still have significant problems after trying more conservative treatments, like pain medicines and corticosteroid shots .
Talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of having minimally invasive total knee replacement instead of traditional total knee replacement. Minimally invasive total knee replacement uses a smaller incision than a traditional knee replacement, so it may lead to less pain and decreased recovery time. It is not yet clear whether the procedure leads to an increased risk of certain complications, though.
In some cases, you may have other surgical options, like shortening the bone or a partial knee replacement. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of all your options.
Pressing On The Knee Doesnt Hurt
If youre unable to increase your pain level by touching or pushing on your knee, the source of the pain may actually be caused by problems elsewhere in the body. For example, sciatica a condition in which a disc in the lower back presses on a nerve can cause pain down the leg and through the knee. Hip injuries may also cause knee pain. So if you push around in your knee and it doesnt hurt, consult a doctor to figure out whats really going on.
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Will I Need Any Treatments After Knee Replacement
Your healthcare team will prescribe medications to help you manage pain after surgery, such as:
- Acetaminophen.
To prevent blood clots and control swelling, your healthcare team might also recommend:
- Blood thinners, such as aspirin or injectable Enoxaparin based on individual risk of blood clot formation.
- Compression devices, usually used while hospitalized. These are mechanical devises which provide intermittent compression.
- Special support hose.
Your team will ask you to move your foot and ankle around frequently to maintain blood flow at home. Theyll also show you special exercises to help strengthen your knee and restore motion. Exercises are very important to the success of your knee replacement. Initially, physical therapy will be in the home. Arrangements for this in home PT are made at the time of discharge from the hospital.
What Is The Newest Knee Replacement
Minimally-invasive quadriceps-sparing total knee replacement is a new surgical technique that allows surgeons to insert the same time-tested reliable knee replacement implants through a shorter incision using surgical approach that avoids trauma to the quadriceps muscle which is the most important muscle
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What The Alternatives To Knee Replacement
A healthcare provider may recommend knee replacement surgery after other treatments for knee pain dont help anymore. These earlier options may include:
- Exercise or physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the joint which will provide stability.
- Medications such as NSAIDs and cortisone shots.
- Walking aids or supports and bracing.
Office Staff And Environment
The nurses and office staff are your gateway to the surgeon, and they will help you schedule and prepare your surgery and recovery. Among other things, the nurses and staff will:
- handle your appointments
Its important you feel comfortable around the staff and are sure that they:
- have genuine concern for your well-being
- will address your needs
- will provide you with good service
If the service isnt up to par, it could negatively impact your experience.
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Do You Need Specialized Orthopaedic And Sports Medicine Care For The Knee
A knee injury or condition can disrupt your life as well as keep you from enjoying the activities you love. Below are some common signs and symptoms you may be experiencing if you have a knee-related injury or condition:
- Hip pain in addition to knee pain
- Inflammation near your patella
- Joint instability
- Knee catches or locks up
- Knee pain when straightening or bending your knee
- Limping
- Pain when moving your knee joint
- Stiffness
- Types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis
Possible Benefits Of Total Knee Replacement Surgery
Regardless of whether a traditional total knee replacement or a minimally-invasive partial knee replacement is performed the goals and possible benefits are the same: relief of pain and restoration of function.
The large majority of total knee replacement patients experience substantial or complete relief of pain once they have recovered from the procedure. The large majority walk without a limp and most dont require a cane, even if they used one before the surgery. It is quite likely that you know someone with a knee replacement who walks so well that you dont know he even had surgery!
Frequently the stiffness from arthritis is also relieved by the surgery. Very often the distance one can walk will improve as well because of diminished pain and stiffness. The enjoyment of reasonable recreational activities such as golf, dancing, traveling, and swimming almost always improves following total knee replacement.
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Protecting Your Knee Implant
You can extend the life of your knee implant by doing several things. After surgery, use a cane or walker until your balance improves — taking a fall can cause serious damage to a new joint. High-impact exercise can also take a toll on knee implants, so most doctors warn against jogging, jumping, and contact sports.
How Do I Determine If I Need A Knee Replacement
If youre considering knee replacement surgery, talk to an orthopedic surgeon. Orthopedic surgeons specialize in operations to fix joints and muscles.
Your orthopedic surgeon will:
- Ask about your symptoms, including how severe they are and how long youve had them. The surgeon may also ask whether anything makes symptoms better or worse, or whether symptoms interfere with your daily life.
- Take your medical history to learn about your overall health.
- Examine you to check knee motion, strength and stability.
- Order X-rays of your knee. The images can help the surgeon understand how much damage is in your knee. Advanced imaging is rarely helpful in the arthritic knee.
The orthopedic surgeon will then make a recommendation for surgery or another treatment option.
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Acl Reconstruction Knee Surgery
The anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, is one of the 4 major ligaments of the knee. It is also one of the most common injuries in athletes. The ACL is responsible for the stability of the knee. If torn, patients may complain of giving way in the knee. Therefore, they will have the ligament replaced to regain stability.;
How The Operation Is Done
Knee replacement surgery is usually performed either under general anaesthetic or under spinal anaesthetic or epidural .
The worn ends of the bones in your knee joint are removed;and replaced with metal and plastic parts which have been measured to fit.
You may have either a total or a partial knee replacement. This will depend on how damaged your knee is. Total knee replacements are the most common.
Read more information about what happens on the day of your operation.
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Causes And Risk Factors
The most frequent reason for osteoarthritis is genetic, since the durability of each individuals cartilage is based on genetics. If your parents have arthritis, you may also get it. Trauma can also lead to osteoarthritis. A bad fall or blow to the knee at any point in your life can injure the joint. If the injury does not heal properly, extra force may be placed on the joint, which may cause the cartilage to wear away over time. Patients who have previously torn the meniscus cartilage or a ligament in their knee may be at increased risk for developing arthritis.
When Should I See A Knee Doctor To Treat My Pain
Knee pain is very common and can have different causes. Whether young or mature, you can experience knee pain. When knee pain is experienced by a young person, its usually a result of an injury. Older adults and the elderly experiencing knee pain may be due to wear and tear or arthritis.
Knee pain that does not get better warrants a visit to a doctor. Pain is your bodys way of alerting you that something is wrong. Here are a few signs that its time to see a doctor for knee pain.
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What Happens During Knee Arthroplasty
The day of surgery, you will receive anesthesia to prevent pain during the operation. You will have either a regional or general anesthetic. Your anesthesia team will decide what type of anesthesia is right for you.
Knee arthroplasty takes about an hour or two. The surgical team will:
- Make an incision in the knee area.
- Remove any damaged cartilage and bone.
- Place the knee implant and position it properly.
- Secure the implant into place using cement or without cement.
- Insert a piece of polyethylene that creates a smooth, gliding surface between the metal parts of the implant.
- Close the incision.
Can Rehabilitation Be Done At Home
All patients are given a set of home exercises to do between supervised physical therapy sessions and the home exercises make up an important part of the recovery process. However, supervised therapy–which is best done in an outpatient physical therapy studio–is extremely helpful and those patients who are able to attend outpatient therapy are encouraged to do so.
For patients who are unable to attend outpatient physical therapy, home physical therapy is arranged.
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How Does Partial Knee Replacement Differ From Total Knee Replacement
Most arthroplasties target the entire knee joint, an operation called a total knee replacement. But some people choose to have a partial knee replacement.
To understand the difference, it helps to know the knees compartments, or sections. It has three:
- Inside .
- Outside .
- Under the kneecap .
The partial approach fixes a single section. So healthcare providers call it unicompartmental replacement. A total knee replacement addresses all three sections. Generally, only younger adults with symptoms in one knee section benefit from partial replacement.
What Are The Most Common Treatments For Knee Pain
When you visit an orthopedic doctor for knees,;you will be given a treatment recommendation that corresponds to the nature and extent of your knee injury. The treatment method could be as minor as physical therapy or as major as a total knee replacement.
One common form of treatment is arthroplasty, which essentially means replacement of all or part of the knee joint. Total or partial joint replacement;can be an especially effective means of treatment for those who deal with arthritis. ACL reconstruction is also a common surgical treatment.
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Know All Of Your Treatment Options
Your doctor may give you additional or alternate information regarding knee pain and total knee replacement surgery. If you have questions about treatment options, schedule an appointment to discuss whats right for you. Contact us today to learn more about;NUsurface as a knee pain treatment option.
Knee Replacement Surgery Shouldnt Be Your First Line Of Treatment
Even if your knee pain is significant, most doctors will recommend non-operative treatment options before recommending knee replacement surgery. This might include weight loss, an exercise regimen, medications, cortisone or other injection therapies, a minimally invasive surgical procedure, such as a meniscectomy, or bracing.
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Experience A Legacy Of Excellence And Exceptional Knee Care
Serving the needs of Dallas, Frisco, and the surrounding areas, our knee doctors are world-renowned leaders who are dedicated to providing patients with the specialized knee care they need to get back to an active, healthy life.
Having dedicated their practices to offering patient-centered care, our knee doctors understand that while a knee surgery, such as knee replacement, knee arthroscopy, or cartilage restoration surgery, may be the best treatment option for one patient, another patient may benefit more from a nonsurgical solution, such as anti-inflammatory medication or physical therapy.
If knee surgery is recommended for you and your injury or condition, rest assured that our knee surgeons continue to uphold excellence by keeping up to date with the latest advancements in technology, knee surgery, and surgical techniques. Our surgeons are also committed and well-respected in their field and know how to perform a full range of knee surgeries and minimally invasive procedures. This includes the following knee surgeries:
- ACL reconstruction surgery
- Unicondylar knee replacement
Ial Knee Replacement Overview
A is also known as unicompartmental knee arthroplasty or unicondylar knee arthroplasty. In this surgery, damaged cartilage and bone are removed and replaced only in one diseased compartment of the knee. This differs from a total knee replacement, in which bone and cartilage from the entire joint are replaced.
Partial knee replacement is suitable for people who experience arthritis only in one compartment of the knee joint, rather than throughout the joint. It can also provide relief from pain and stiffness in some people who have medical conditions that make them poor candidates for total knee replacement surgery.
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What Is Reconstructive Knee Surgery
The knee is made up of several types of tissues and bones that must all function properly to keep the joint healthy. One of the most important collection of tissues is the anterior cruciate ligament , which is located in the center of the knee. This ligament helps hold the bones of the knee together, and it can become severely damaged if it is twisted beyond its means. Reconstructive knee surgery may be necessary to repair the ligament and to restore normal movement to the knee. The ACL can sometimes heal without surgery, so this process is usually reserved for the most severe injuries.
Three types of reconstructive knee surgery exist: open surgery, arthroscopy, and a combination of both. The most severe ACL injuries will require open surgery, in which an incision is made in the skin, allowing the surgeon to directly access the torn tissues in need of replacement or repair. An arthroscopic surgery is far less invasive, and most ACL injuries can be treated with this type of reconstructive knee surgery. A small incision is made near the knee, and a drill is used to cut through the bone so the surgeon can access the ACL. Sometimes a combination of both types of surgery are necessary to completely repair the knee.