What Is Total Replacement Knee Surgery?
Total knee replacement surgery, also referred to as total knee arthroplasty (TKA), is a procedure that removes the damaged bone and cartilage in the knee joint and replaces it with an implant. This surgery aims to restore knee function, relieve knee pain, and help patients regain their quality of life.
Pain in Knee and Knee Replacement Surgery
The primary reason for a total knee replacement is to repair damage and relieve pain caused by knee osteoarthritis. Knee osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage in the knee joint starts to break down, causing the femur and tibia to rub against each other. This condition causes the following symptoms:
Knee instability
Locking, popping, or grinding in the knee
Pain and stiffness in the morning
Pain during periods of activity that turns into pain while at rest
Reduced range of motion in the knee
Swelling or inflammation
Knee osteoarthritis can result from a lifetime of activity or past orthopaedic trauma to the knee (such as a fracture or dislocation that didn’t heal correctly).
Arthritis is a degenerative disease, meaning there is no cure. Although there are nonsurgical methods for treating pain and slow progression, once the symptoms start to impact your quality of life, it’s time to speak with a joint replacement physician about total knee replacement surgery.
At The Steadman Clinic, Dr. Cafferky can his team will recommend one of the following knee replacement procedures:
Partial Knee Replacement Surgery: This replaces or resurfaces one knee compartment. Learn more.
Total Knee Replacement Surgery: An implant replaces the entire knee joint.
Dr. Cafferky offers his patients ROSA (robotic surgical assistant) Knee replacements, which better customizes the implant fit. Learn more about ROSA Knee here.
What Is the Average Recovery for a Knee Replacement?
Knee replacement surgery is one of the most successful procedures performed in the United States, with a ninety-eight percent success rate ten years post-op. However, every knee is different, and the recovery for your knee replacement will depend on several factors, including:
Health
Weight
Activity level
Dr. Cafferky offers total knee replacement surgery as an outpatient procedure, meaning his patients are typically discharged a few hours after surgery. Physical therapy typically begins within the first week of surgery. This goal of physical therapy, as well as the at-home exercise Dr. Cafferky and his team will prescribe, is to:
Increase flexibility
Reducing inflammation
Restore strength
Promote healing
The recovery period will depend on the patient’s unique outcome goals and how quickly their range of motion returns. In general, knee replacement patients will:
Walk unassisted six weeks after surgery
Attend physical therapy for eight to twelve weeks
Resume physical activity and exercise two to three months after surgery
Learn more about the milestones and recovery process for a total knee replacement here.
Best Knee Replacement Surgeon in Colorado
If you are considering total knee replacement surgery, contact Dr. Cafferky and his team at The Steadman Clinic! Consistently rated as one of the top joint replacement surgeons in Colorado, Dr. Cafferky is dedicated to getting his patients back to doing the activities they love.
Schedule your appointment today by calling (970) 476-1100 or through Dr. Cafferky’s online contact form.
