partial knee replacement surgery Archives

Stepping into a New Future: Life Before and After Partial Knee Replacement Surgery

Posted on August 21, 2023 by milehighkneeandhip in Medical

Life is the name of ups and downs, and sometimes those downs can literally put you down, including facing the challenges of joint pain. If you’ve found yourself on the path towards a painful knee that just can’t seem to get cured, and now you are moving towards partial knee replacement surgery, know that you’re not alone. Many individuals have successfully navigated this road before, and with the right information and mindset, you, too, can prepare for what lies ahead.

You must be skeptical and afraid because of the surgery, which is completely natural. As this is a major surgery, it is fine to feel afraid and nervous. But think about it as giving your knee a new life. To help you wrap around partial knee replacement, we will discuss what you should expect before and after the procedure.

Before the Surgery:

The anticipation leading up to a partial knee surgery can bring about a mix of emotions – from excitement to apprehension and overwhelming fear to anxiety. Before you decide to jump head in, into the surgery, it’s important to have a clear understanding of what will happen. In this case, your doctor will guide you in detail, but here’s a sneak peek as an overview:

Choosing your Surgeon: Even though a partial knee replacement is not as invasive as a total knee replacement, the surgery is more technically demanding for the surgeon. Selecting a physician who is fellowship trained is important. Confirming the surgeon does at least 20% of his knee practice executing partial knees replacements is a priority. For example, a busy knee surgeon preforms around 200 knees a year. You should expect him to do 20 partials knees during that timeframe.
Consultation and Evaluation: The knee replacement journey begins with a consultation with your orthopedic surgeon. He will carefully evaluate your condition, look into your medical history, and discuss your expectations. This step is important for determining whether or not partial knee surgery is the right option for you.
Preparation and Planning: Leading up to the surgery, you might be required to undergo certain medical tests and evaluations. This is to ensure that your body is ready for the surgeries. Your surgeon will guide you on any necessary pre-surgery preparations, i.e., what you should eat, medicines, rest, clothing, etc.
Understanding the Procedure: Knowledge is power, and understanding the surgical procedure can significantly ease your mind. Partial knee surgery involves replacing only the damaged part of the knee joint, preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. This means you will get recovered quickly without affecting your lifestyle.

After the Surgery:

Once the surgery is complete, a new chapter begins – one that revolves around recovery, healing, and gradual progress. If you spend this period taking care of your knee, then it will get a new life and will heal properly. You will be able to enjoy life again to its fullest.

Here is what you should expect from your surgery after it’s done.

Initial Recovery Phase: Directly after the surgery, you’ll spend some time in a recovery area where medical professionals will monitor your condition. Chances are that you’ll be able to return home the same day. And just like other surgeries, it is completely normal to feel minor discomfort and pain in your knee.
Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation: Your surgeon and physical therapist will work closely together to create a personalized rehabilitation plan. Physical therapy is important in returning strength and bringing flexibility and movement to your knee. Consistency and dedication to your therapy will ensure you recover fully.
Progress and Patience: Healing takes time, and letting your body heal slowly is important. As the days turn into weeks, you’ll likely notice gradual improvements in your mobility and reduced pain. Celebrate each small victory as you recover.

Life After Partial Knee Surgery:

Once the surgery is done, you will feel victorious and happy that you got done with a big event of your life. You will realize that you are in a new chapter of life, leading you towards better mobility, comfort and more activity.

Embracing Activities: You can participate in once-challenging activities with your knee on the mend. Whether it’s taking a nice stroll in the evening, engaging in easy exercises, or even pursuing hobbies you love, the possibilities that you can enjoy after knee replacement surgery are endless.
Ongoing Care: While the surgery itself has addressed the immediate concern, it’s important to remember that knee health requires ongoing maintenance. Exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet and listen to what your body says; keep your body happy.
A New Perspective: Beyond the physical changes, many individuals find that partial knee surgery brings about a new perspective on life.

Conclusion:

Going through with a partial knee surgery is a courageous and bold step towards a future filled with good quality of life. The journey is a testament to your strength and determination from the initial consultation to the post-surgery triumphs. As you decide to take this path, remember to stay determined and be patient when it comes to recovery. So, take that step forward because your journey toward a revitalized you have already begun.

Robotics-Assisted Knee Replacement in Denver

Posted on January 20, 2021April 23, 2021 by milehighkneeandhip in News

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!

Guide: Partial Knee Replacement

Posted on April 20, 2020April 23, 2021 by milehighkneeandhip in News

In the past century, medical science has made exponential progress. This progress hasn’t restricted itself to any one particular branch of medicine; instead, it has trickled down into each specialty, whether it is gynecology, cardiology, or neurology. In particular, with orthopedics, this progress has alleviated symptoms and helped individuals with conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, or dislocations.

With the onset of age or a traumatic experience, there are several conditions that an aging individual or an injured individual can begin to experience. In the case of age-associated arthritis or post-traumatic arthritis, individuals begin to experience symptoms of their joint wearing and tearing, resulting in reduced motions, pain, disturbance in daily activities, and stiffness.

The Diagnosis & Treatment

Through consulting with a center, individuals can reach a conclusive understanding of their bone health. Rather than living with painful symptoms and a reduced range of motion, it is important to administer the required interventions, be it through a surgical procedure. A specialist and experienced doctor will consider your symptoms, will perform a thorough physical exam to check for loss of motion or swollen joints and will use X-rays and blood tests, to reach a firm diagnosis.

There are a variety of options through which arthritis can be treated. These treatments plan are inclusive of exercise, diet, and physical therapy. In certain cases, however, a surgical procedure is critical due to the degree of joint damage. Following are the conditions when a partial-knee replacement surgery becomes imperative:

The pain persists despite taking anti-inflammatory drugs paired with maintaining healthy body weight.
If an X-ray determines an individual’s eligibility for a partial-knee replacement, due to the damage being contained to a particular compartment.

If left untreated with no human intervention, individuals can face painful deformity and immobility for the entire course of their life.

The Necessity for a Partial Knee Replacement

As a result of the breakdown of the cartilage being restricted to a particular compartment, a partial knee replacement surgery (uni-compartmental knee) becomes a suitable option. This form of surgery involves resurfacing only a part of the knee, be it the medial, lateral, or patella-femoral compartment of the knee, as opposed to the entire knee. A doctor replaces the impaired compartment by using an artificial implant, termed as a prosthesis. With only minimal resurfacing of the knee, the natural motion is restored, and pain is alleviated. It is plausible for one to wonder or for individuals to weigh in the pros and cons of a partial knee replacement surgery due to the recovering time involved, the uncertainty of functionality, and concerns of a partial knee replacement scar.

However, by understanding the following elements, individuals can understand how partial knee surgery, when carried out with precision, practice, and skill, can result in beneficial results, both in the short-term and long-term.

It is a minimally-invasive procedure, which maintains natural ligaments.
It allows patients to go home the same day.
It enables patients to have a full range of motions two weeks post their surgery.
Most patients are pain free in two weeks post their surgery.
With an incision being inevitable during the surgery, scarring is minimal and can be expedited with appropriate care. It is, however, also dependent on genetics and exposure to sun rays.

Should Younger Individuals Opt For Partial Knee Replacement?

In the past, partial knee replacement surgery was set aside for older patients. However, focusing on how the recovery time is faster, paired with less pain, and being highly-effective, the surgery has increasingly become a preferred option for younger patients.

Partial knee replacement patients tend to heal faster and do better than total knee replacement patients. This is because the surgery is minimally invasive, resulting in less bone removal and preservation of native tissues and ligaments. With individuals recovering faster and finding their replaced knee to be relatively ‘natural feeling,’ patients can reestablish their normal functioning range, with ease and in a short period.