Knee Replacement Surgery: Procedure & Recovery
If you have ongoing knee pain even with ongoing nonsurgical treatment, knee replacement surgery may be an option for you. At Seaview, our board-certified knee replacement surgeons and expert staff, will guide you through the treatment process and help you decide what is right for you.
For some patients, nonsurgical treatments like anti-inflammatory medications, injections, and walking supports may be sufficient for managing pain due to arthritis. At Seaview, we do everything possible to help patients with knee pain, using less invasive options and joint preservation techniques to help patients with knee arthritis avoid or delay the need for surgery.
Meet Our Knee Replacement Surgeons
Our orthopedic knee surgeons at Seaview Orthopaedics are your trusted institute for knee replacement surgery. At Seaview, our knee replacement surgeons have expertise in total knee replacement, partial knee replacement, and robotic-assisted knee replacement procedures.
How Does Arthritis Cause Knee Pain?
Knee arthritis is a common problem that many patients face. It is a degenerative condition that can be very painful and may limit your daily activities.
The knee joint is formed by the lower end of the femur (thighbone), the upper end of the tibia (shinbone), and the patella (kneecap). C-shaped wedges of tissue called menisci act as shock absorbers in the knee, and ligaments hold the joint together. The bones in the joint are covered with articular cartilage, a tissue that protects the bones and allows the joint to glide smoothly with movement.
Arthritis can damage the articular cartilage in the knee, either with wear and tear over time or due to inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. Eventually, the cartilage can wear away completely in places, causing the bones to rub together. This condition can be very painful and may limit knee function, making even simple movements like walking or bending difficult.
Eventually, arthritis damage can progress to the point that nonsurgical treatments are not effective in relieving pain. In these cases, our orthopedic surgeons may recommend knee replacement surgery.
Signs it’s Time for a Knee Replacement
Schedule An Appointment with Our Knee Replacement Surgeons
What Are Knee Replacement Options?
Knee replacement surgery involves removing the damaged portions of the knee and replacing them with prosthetic components. The damaged bone is replaced with metal implants, and a medical-grade plastic spacer is inserted between the metal implants to allow the new knee to glide with movement.
Depending on the location and severity of knee arthritis, there are different surgical options available for knee replacement. At Seaview, our surgeons have expertise in total knee replacement, partial knee replacement, and robotic-assisted knee replacement procedures.
If arthritis damage is not limited to only one part of the knee, total knee replacement is likely the best option to improve knee function. During a total knee replacement, the entire knee joint is replaced with prosthetic components. For many patients with severe knee arthritis, this is a very successful procedure that is effective in reducing knee pain and improving function.
If your arthritis is limited to only one side of the knee, partial knee replacement may be an option. During a partial knee replacement, only the damaged side of the knee is replaced with prosthetics, and the healthy bone remains. For these patients, our orthopedic surgeons may recommend a partial knee replacement because it feels more like a “normal” knee than a total knee replacement. Partial knee replacement also allows for quicker recovery times and less pain in recovery when compared to a total knee replacement.
At Seaview, we also offer robotic-assisted knee replacements using Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Technology. This system allows the surgeon to pre-plan the surgery by creating a 3D model of the patient’s knee using CT scans. He then guides the robotic arm in surgery, while the pre-planned surgical model helps to ensure accurate implant placement.
Recovering from Knee Replacement Surgery
Most knee replacement procedures will require a hospital stay of 1-3 days. Patients begin working with physical therapy as soon as possible after surgery, as this is a critical part of recovery.
For the convenience of our patients, we offer physical therapy on-site at all six of our New Jersey office locations. Our physical therapists will work with you after your knee replacement surgery to strengthen the knee and restore motion.
Most patients are able to resume their normal activities within 3 weeks of surgery, and full recovery is generally about 6 weeks.