Knee Replacement

What Is Total Knee Arthroplasty?

The knee is a hinge-like joint formed where the thighbone (femur), shinbone (tibia), and kneecap (patella) meet. It is supported by muscles, tendons, and ligaments and lined with cushioning cartilage. Over time, cartilage can wear away, making the knee stiff and painful. A knee prosthesis (artificial joint) implanted during total knee arthroplasty can replace the painful joint and restore movement.

The most common cause of chronic knee pain and disability is arthritis. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and traumatic arthritis are the most common forms of this disease.

• Osteoarthritis usually occurs after age 50 and often in an individual with a family history of arthritis. The cartilage that cushions the bones of the knee softens and wears away. The bones then rub against each other, causing knee pain and stiffness.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the synovial membrane becomes thickened and inflamed. This produces too much synovial fluid, which overfills the joint space. This chronic inflammation can damage the cartilage and eventually cause cartilage loss, pain and stiffness.
• Traumatic Arthritis can follow a serious knee injury. A knee fracture or severe tears of the knee’s ligaments may damage the articular cartilage over time, causing knee pain and limiting knee function.

Total knee arthroplasty eliminates the bone-on-bone pain of arthritis and helps you regain your mobility and quality of life.

What to Expect During Total Knee Replacement Surgery

Before you undergo total knee replacement surgery, your doctor will conduct a physical examination and order blood and other tests to ensure you are healthy enough to undergo total knee arthroplasty.

Knee replacement surgery is performed while the patient is under anesthesia. Expect your total knee replacement surgery to take between one and two hours. Prior to your surgery, the doctor may ask you to stop taking certain medications or supplements or eating certain foods due to the risk of bleeding. The list includes vitamin E supplements, aspirin, fish oil, and more. Tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take, including herbal preparations.

After surgery, the incision is closed either via sutures or stapling. The surgeon may insert a drain at the site for fluid removal. Patients may wear compression stockings.

Movement is crucial to healing. You’ll be encouraged to walk with a walker or crutches not long after your knee replacement surgery. To reduce the potential of developing blood clots, your doctor may prescribe blood thinners post-knee replacement surgery or temporary pain medication so you can focus on movement and physical therapy.

Innovative Approaches to Full Knee Replacement Surgery

We realize that total knee replacement surgery or partial knee replacement surgery isn't likely your first choice when addressing your knee pain, but if your knee pain has continued to worsen and is limiting your ability to perform daily activities, it may be time to schedule a consult with one of Hoag Orthopedic Institute's board-certified orthopedic surgeons who specialize in knee replacement surgery. Our knee surgeons are dedicated to getting you back to doing what you love by restoring your mobility through innovative and evidence-based knee treatment options, excellent patient care and superior outcomes.

At Hoag Orthopedic Institute, we offer Corin Apollo™ robotic knee replacement, the first hospital to do so on the West Coast. “The ApolloKnee is the only procedure capable of providing a force-controlled, robotic assessment of the knee throughout the full range of motion before committing to any bone cuts,” says HOI joint replacement surgeon Travis Scudday, M.D.

The Apollo platform permits surgeons to create a specific surgical plan for each patient undergoing full knee replacement surgery. Apollo allows surgeons to improve precision, and surgeons can review past data regarding past procedures before and during the surgery, as per patient-reported outcomes.

Should you and your doctor decide to proceed with total knee replacement surgery to treat your knee pain, your procedure will take place in one of Hoag Orthopedic Institute's impressive, state-of-the-art operating rooms. You will be admitted to Hoag as an inpatient, with a length of stay that can vary between two and four days. The length of the surgical procedure can vary as well, most often taking between one and two hours. Various techniques and implants exist, which is why your surgeon will need to determine the type of implant and surgical technique that is best for your medical condition. All of our knee surgeons have been trained in the newest surgical techniques, including navigation and patient-specific instrumentation.

Hoag Orthopedic Institute (HOI) surgeons have performed over 5,000 joint replacements annually since 2010. Through our highly acclaimed program, you can be confident that you will receive top-tier medical care.

Total Knee Replacement Recovery and Rehabilitation

Well over 90% of total knee replacement patients can expect good to excellent clinical results. This encompasses minimal to no pain, the ability to walk more than one mile, increased range of motion, and overall patient satisfaction with the procedure. Most patients can return to low-impact sports such as golf, doubles tennis, bowling, and walking, as well as the use of exercise machines.

Post-operative rehabilitation will be very important to your recovery from total knee replacement surgery. While you are an inpatient, you will begin very mild physical therapy. At Hoag, your orthopedic physical therapist will work closely with you, your physician, and your family in order to help you regain full, optimal use of your knee. To derive maximum benefit from your knee replacement surgery, you will be asked to adhere to a personalized rehabilitation plan once you have been discharged from Hoag.