All You Need To Know About Partial Knee Replacement

Is knee pain getting in the way of things you enjoy doing? If yes, then you’ve come to the right place. We’re here to explain everything you need you know about partial knee replacement.

Getting your knee replaced is a life-changing decision that could impact your life in several ways. Therefore, Dr. Presley Swann, who is a skilled knee and hip orthopedic doctor in Denver, has taken the time out to discuss important factors that people should know, especially those who are planning for a knee replacement themselves.

Understanding partial knee replacement

People seek partial knee replacement when their knee has been damaged from osteoarthritis, which is confined to one compartment. In this situation, only one party of the knee is replaced. Because of its quick and painless recovery, partial knee replacement is more common in young and active individuals.

Diving in deeper

As the name suggests, partial knee replacement is an alternative to complete or total knee replacement but is only beneficial for people with osteoarthritis of the knee. As mentioned above, partial knee replacement is done when damage is confined to a particular section of the knee. In this surgery, only the damaged area of the knee cartilage is replaced with a prosthesis.

Initially, partial knee replacement was only suitable for senior patients who were involved in physical activities, but now young people are opting for partial knee replacement as their recovery is quick and involves less pain. Around 5% to 6% of patients with arthritic knees are likely eligible for partial knee replacement.

Understanding osteoarthritis?

To simply explain, osteoarthritis is the wearing away of the primary connective tissue known as articular cartilage inside the joint. This connective tissue prevents one bone from rubbing or scarping against another. You might have seen shock absorbers in skyscrapers; the cartilage functions the same way, absorbing shocks and allowing for a smooth and steady movement within the joint. As we age, or due to injuries, the cartilage thins, this causes the joint to inflame, making you feel stiffness and pain in the joint, and that’s not all; your range of motion might also be limited due to the severe pain.

Is knee osteoarthritis a common issue?

Almost 30% of the US population is estimated to have signs of knee osteoarthritis. At the age of 50, knee osteoarthritis becomes equally common in men and women. After age 50, more women than men are affected.

Who is right for partial knee replacement?

People with lateral, medial, knee osteoarthritis can go for partial knee replacement. You must be thinking of what “medial” means? It refers to the inside compartment of the joint, which is the section nearest the opposite knee, while “lateral” typically refers to the outside section, which is farthest from the opposite knee. According to the present data, medial knee joint degeneration is typically the most common condition of arthritis.

What other factors should you consider?

Being overweight is the biggest factor for knee pain, but if you’re maintaining a healthy weight and taking anti-inflammatory drugs, which still doesn’t help you manage your pain, then you should consider a knee replacement.

Your knee replacement surgeon will ask you to identify the area of pain in your knee, and then you’ll be assessed for your knee’s range of motion. Commonly, an X-ray of the troubled knee will determine the eligibility for partial knee replacement.

You must have a proper range of knee motion, an intact anterior cruciate ligament, a stable knee and damage to only one compartment, and that’s not all; the severity of the deformity is also considered.

It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old because partial knee replacement surgery is being considered by both young and old.

Dr Swann is here to help

If you feel pain and stiffness in your knee(s), then you’ve come to the right place. Dr. Presley Swann is a trained professional who will go the extra mile in taking away the pain from your life. Dr. Swann is trained in robotic, ACL-preserving partial and total knee replacement surgery in Denver! He is also a specialist in hip dysplasia surgery, hip resurfacing, and periacetabular osteotomy. Whether you need a knee replacement doctor or a hip doctor, Dr. Swann is the surgeon for you.

Robotics-Assisted Knee Replacement in Denver

A Denver First
Dr. Presley Swann is currently the only surgeon with exclusive rights in Denver to use the Cori Robotic Surgical System. Dr. Swann is a board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon and is fellowship trained. His expertise in joint replacement has allowed him to reach the top of his field. The Cori Joint Replacement Services is the first robotics system that preserves your Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL). By preserving your own anatomy, you have less downtime and less pain post-surgically. Many people are currently concerned about Covid exposure while staying in the hospital post-surgically, and therefore, outpatient procedures have risen drastically. Dr. Swann has used the technology of the Cori Surgical System to create a less painful outpatient knee replacement procedure. The Cori Surgical System assists the surgeon to precisely fitting the new knee implant while removing the damaged bone and cartilage. While keeping your own unique anatomy in mind, this revision knee system creates a more accurate and precise
placement of your knee implant. This advanced technology and the correct placement
determine not only your outcome, but the longevity of wear and tear on the implant.

No CT Scan – No Radiation
The Cori System eliminates potentially harmful radiation because this unique system does not require a CT (Computed Tomography) scan to collect your anatomical landmarks. This limits the amount of radiation you receive and the robot is able to collect anatomic and alignment information for your knee. Once the information is gathered, it is used to create a precise 3-D rendering of your knee to assist Dr. Swann in his surgical approach.

Less Pain
Another unique aspect to the Cori total knee replacement surgery does not require rods drilled
into the central canal of your bone similar to most other knee replacements. Instead, the
surgeon is able to use small pins since the robot has already created a precise position for the
implant to be placed. This process allows the central canal of your bone not to be touched and
therefore, you experience less pain post-surgically.

Trust the most up to date technology with the experience of a top surgeon for your knee
replacement! See Dr. Swann in Denver for your knee replacement today! He’s one of the best knee doctor in Denver!

Diagnosis & Treatment: Knee Replacement Surgery

A combination of factors combines together for an individual to require total knee replacement surgery. These elements comprise the onset of aging, our lifestyle, or a traumatic experience such as a fall or injury. Rather than prolonging the pain and allowing it to transition into a life-long deformity, it is important to avail remedial options, which can result in eliminating pain and restoring mobility.

The Causes & Reasons for a Total Knee Surgery

  • Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is classified as a degenerative condition where the protective cushion (cartilage) that protects the ends of an individual’s bone starts to wear down over time. It is a chronic condition, which results in the patient experiencing stiffness and pain in their knee joint. As the most common form of arthritis, it can easily be managed through various types of treatment; however, it cannot be reversed.

  • Traumatic Experience

The impact of a fall or an accident can be quite hard-hitting to the joints. This can cause the knee joint to get fractured or experience a ligament tear. With preservation surgeries failing to work, a partial knee or total knee replacement is the last resort to opt for.

  • Lifestyle Choice

If an individual is an athlete, then they are susceptible to the wear and tear of their bones. The constant physical exertion can take a toll on their bones, and the higher probability of experiencing fractures eventually damages their bone health. With repetitive movements and physical stress, their cartilage erodes at a rapid speed, ultimately making them a suitable candidate for a total knee replacement surgery.

The Risk Factors & Symptoms

There are, however, factors that increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis:

  • Sex, e.g., women are more likely to develop the condition
  • Obesity
  • Bone deformities
  • Genetics
  • Certain metabolic diseases, e.g., hemochromatosis
  • Repeated stress on the joints

With symptoms developing gradually and worsening throughout a patient’s life, it is important to identify them.

  • Pain
  • Stiffness
  • Tenderness
  • Grating sensation
  • Swelling
  • Bone spurs
  • Loss of flexibility
  • Reduced range of motion

Treatment

By consulting with one of the top knee replacement surgeons based out of Denver, patients can receive optimized and specialized treatment for their concerns. A total knee replacement surgery carried out in South Denver by a specialist orthopedic surgeon will aid you in replacing the worn-out bone and cartilage sections in all the three compartments of the knee. Using a blend of kinetic balancing and a novel approach to pain protocols, a specialist based in a Denver clinic produces the following results:

  • An outpatient procedure with minimal time in the hospital
  • Patients get to go home the same day
  • Full range of motion two weeks post the surgery for most patients
  • Most patients are pain free two weeks after the surgery

Injecting a long-acting pump in the thigh to release medication and in doing so numbing the post-op pain for three days, the specialistic approach of Colorado Knee & Hip is unique. Moreover, keeping narcotics to a minimum to avoid the adverse side effects, such as nausea and disorientation, these specialists work to ensure optimal care for each patient seeking help.