Knee Replacement Specialist
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Center For Orthopedic Surgery
Orthopedic Surgeons & Foot and Ankle Specialists located in Lubbock, TX
While doctors usually work to keep your body functioning with its original parts, there can come a time when they become more a liability than an asset. If your knees are the source of chronic pain and are keeping you from enjoying life, it’s time to look at joint replacement. The team of orthopedic specialists at the Center for Orthopedic Surgery in Lubbock, Texas, offer knee replacements that will have you moving freely again without pain. If you suspect you may need a knee replacement, call or use the online form to schedule an appointment today.
Knee Replacement Q & A
When is knee replacement necessary?
Your knee is the largest joint in your body, and when something goes wrong in your knee, it can have a devastating effect on your life, limiting your ability to get around and accomplish even the simplest of tasks. In many cases, knee replacement surgery is a great solution that can give you a new lease on life.
The most common reason patients at the Center for Orthopedic Surgery get knee replacement surgery is irreversible damage due to arthritis. Osteoarthritis, in particular, wears down the cartilage in your knee, leading to bones rubbing together painfully. It can also create bone spurs, since your bones begin to break down.
Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause people to seek a knee replacement, since the disease attacks and destroys the synovial membrane around the knee joint.
In the end, the decision comes down to how limited you are by the pain and stiffness you’re experiencing in your knee.
How does knee replacement work?
While you may have visions of getting a bionic joint, knee replacement is actually more of a resurfacing procedure.
First, your surgeon removes the damaged cartilage surfaces from the ends of your femur and tibia. Next, he places metal components over the ends and cements them in place. After resurfacing the underside of your patella with a plastic button, your surgeon places a spacer in between the metal parts for easy movement.
What is recovery like following knee replacement?
The knee replacement surgery itself is a fairly simple procedure that lasts an hour or two. Still, you should count on spending one or two nights at the hospital to recover, depending on your circumstances.
Your doctor will likely have you try out your new knee the day after surgery, or even on the same day as the surgery in some cases. It’s important to use your knee shortly after surgery to promote blood flow and healing.
After your hospital stay, you’ll work with a physical therapist until you feel comfortable on your knee.
You should expect to feel some discomfort after the surgery, but this fades as you heal, leaving you with a knee that’s no longer a source of frustration and pain.
If you’d like to explore knee replacement, call the Center for Orthopedic Surgery today or use the online scheduling tool to book an appointment.
