Knee Replacement

When arthritis or other joint damage isn’t treatable with conservative approaches, knee replacement could restore function and relieve pain. Board-certified orthopaedic surgeon Karl Siebuhr, MD, and Jonathan Kletter, PA-C, at Reconstructive Orthopaedics of Central Florida in Ocala, Florida, use advanced robotic-assisted techniques to perform knee replacement surgery. Call the office today or book an appointment online to learn more about your knee replacement options.

What is knee replacement?

Knee replacement surgery removes damaged parts of the bones inside your knee and implants artificial components called a prosthesis. Total knee replacement substitutes all the joint’s bones; unicompartmental or partial knee replacement substitutes only one of the bones or one side of the knee.

You might require knee replacement if your joint suffers damage from age-related degeneration or long-standing trauma. Osteoarthritis (joint deterioration from wear-and-tear) and osteoporosis (weakened bones prone to fracturing) are common indications. Severe rheumatoid arthritis affecting the knee joint is another reason for requiring knee replacement.

Reconstructive Orthopaedics of Central Florida offers traditional knee replacements but also excels at cutting-edge robotic surgery to enhance accuracy, reduce tissue damage and pain, and hasten recovery.

How is knee replacement surgery performed?

Knee replacement surgery with Reconstructive Orthopaedics of Central Florida takes place under general anesthesia. Your provider cleans the affected knee with an antiseptic solution and covers it in sterile drapes. They position you so they have clear access to your knee joint.

Your surgeon makes an incision over the joint, revealing the patella (kneecap). They move it out of the way to access the bones forming the knee joint — the lower end of your femur (thigh bone) and the upper end of your tibia (shin bone). Your surgeon gently removes any damaged tissue and reshapes the underlying bone, ready for the prosthetic components.

They fit metallic prosthetic devices on the prepared bones, ensuring they fit snugly and securing them in position with bone cement. They put a plastic spacer between the tibia’s prosthesis and the lower end of your femur so the bones glide smoothly. Your surgeon then reshapes and replaces your patella, maintaining the knee’s normal anatomy.

If you have a unicompartmental knee replacement, your Reconstructive Orthopaedics of Central Florida surgeon might use the Oxford® Partial Knee implant with moveable plastic bearings. This state-of-the-art joint replacement goes on one side of the joint, preserving healthy bone and cartilage on the other side.

What happens after knee replacement surgery?

Before closing the surgery site, your surgeon performs various knee joint movements to ensure the prosthetic is stable and safe. That might include bending and gentle twisting that imitate the movements knee joints frequently perform.

Next, your surgeon closes the incision with sutures and applies a bandage. After the initial healing period, you undergo physical therapy to restore function and mobility.

Call Reconstructive Orthopaedics of Central Florida to learn more about knee replacement surgery, or book an appointment online today.