Knee Replacement

What is a knee replacement?

Knee replacement surgery, also known as knee arthroplasty, relieves chronic knee pain in severely diseased or injured knee joints. It’s a procedure that involves removing damaged knee parts and replacing them with an artificial knee joint made of polymers, high-grade plastics, and metal alloys. Depending on the severity of joint damage, you might require a:

Total knee replacement

During a total knee replacement, Dr. Mileski replaces your entire knee joint with artificial components.

Partial knee replacement

Dr. Mileski replaces some, but not all, parts of your knee joint with prosthetic parts during a partial knee replacement. This can involve the inside of the knee (medial), outside of the knee (lateral), or knee cap. Partial replacements when indicated may be less painful.

Overview

Dr. Mileski uses joint replacements from industry leading companies with long track records of success. He lets you know which procedure best matches your needs and is most likely to restore your knee function to its fullest and will help you make a good choice.

Recently, considerable attention has been given to surgical approaches that limit cutting tendons and ligaments. Though studies have shown no long term improvement in results of total knee replacement performance with these approaches, the studies have shown a decrease in post op pain resulting in less use of narcotics, earlier recovery of quadriceps thigh muscle function, and improved early knee range of motion for up to the first 6 months with this surgical approach. In order to make the post op recuperation a bit easier for you given the benefits listed above, Dr. Mileski has incorporated this surgical approach into his practice.

In short, by utilizing innovative surgical approaches, contemporary techniques like robotics and patient specific instrumentation to improve knee joint component alignment, and implants from industry leaders with design features that have resulted in outstanding durable long term results. Dr. Mileski strives to make your knee replacement journey more pleasant with great long term results.

What should I expect during the procedure?

Procedures are typically performed under general anesthesia with supplemental spinal anesthesia and nerve blocks. This approach with additional multi-modal pain medications has made the procedure less painful and allows for many, if not most, cases to be performed on a out-patient basis for patients with few medical conditions. For patients whose medical condition may require more monitoring, the surgery is performed in the hospital.

Incisions are kept as small as possible and arthritic surfaces are removed. Using patient-specific instrumentation designed from careful analysis of pre-operative MRIs or robotic technology, implants and components are precisely inserted. Surgery usually lasts 1-2 hours, and then you are brought to the recovery room. For patients who undergo the procedure as an out-patient, a physical therapist with special expertise in working with joint replacement patients works extensively with you and your family in the recovery room. Patients who choose to have the procedure in the hospital have this care on the floor. Upon discharge, patients are set up with home physical therapy about three times per week for 3-4 weeks. Medications for pain control and to decrease the risk of blood clots are administered by caring nurses. To reduce swelling support hose and compression boots are provided.

Under the guidance of Dr. Mileski and his team, you can gradually increase physical activity and begin physical therapy to strengthen your new knee. Over time you experience pain relief, better mobility and improved quality of life. By maintaining your therapy routine and avoiding certain high-impact activities, your new knee has over a 95% chance of lasting 15 years or longer. If knee problems cause you pain and limit your activities, schedule an appointment with Dr. Mileski, of the Phoenix Orthopedic Group for a prompt consultation and treatment plan.