Knee Replacement Surgery: An Asheboro, N.c. Orthopedic Expert Can Offer You Options

There are a few knee replacement surgery options available nowadays. Dealing with knee pain is no longer necessary, as there is a procedure to suit anyone's preference or medical needs. The most important part of the whole process is to trust your medical well-being to expert orthopedic surgeons in the Asheboro, N.C. area.

No other pain can quite compare to what you feel when it hits the knee joint. Things like standing, sitting, walking, running, and sometimes-even breathing can cause pain and anguish. When the "first line of defense" treatments like medication and walking aids no longer bring relief, it's time to consider knee replacement surgery.

One of the most prominent advances in orthopedic surgery in the twentieth century is that of the knee replacement. This knee surgery was first performed in 1968, and because of the vast improvements in techniques and equipment, over 580,000 knee replacement surgeries are completed in the U.S. each year. Let's look at the options an expert Asheboro, N.C. orthopedic surgeon can offer you.

The Options for Knee Surgery
Total knee replacement: In general, a total knee replacement is performed on those between the ages of 60 and 80, yet each case is evaluated individually. The recommendation for surgery will not be based on a person's age, but rather their level of pain and disability. Entire knee replacements are performed on people of all ages, from young teens who have juvenile arthritis to elderly patients with a degenerative form of arthritis.

A few of the situations where you would benefit from a total knee replacement surgery are the following:
oExcruciating knee pain that affects your daily activities like walking or sitting in a chair. Walking more than a block at a time may be difficult
oModerate pain, even while at rest
oChronic inflammation in the knee that is not helped with medication or rest
oObvious knee deformities, such as a bowing of the knee
oThe knee is overly stiff, making straightening or bending the knee difficult
oPain relievers offer no relief
oNo improvement is seen after other treatments like physical therapy, cortisone injections or surgeries

Unicompartmental knee replacement: This option is far less common than a complete knee replacement, and is only an option in limited instances. However, the techniques and instruments used for this procedure have vastly improved over the years. A Unicompartmental knee replacement requires the use of a less invasive incision as well. This technique will replace an individual compartment of an arthritic knee.

The joint itself has three compartments; the patellofemoral compartment (kneecap), the lateral compartment (outer) and the medial compartment (inner). If either the lateral or the medial compartment is damaged, it could possibly be replaced with a unicompartmental implant. However, if at least two compartments are damaged, then this option may not be the way to go. Typically, this procedure is for an older, slender person and only about seven of every 100 patients having an arthritic knee are candidates.

Subvastus knee replacement: Fortunately, for Asheboro, N.C. patients, there are orthopedic surgeons who are experts with this groundbreaking new procedure. The process is different, using a sub-vastus technique, which requires an incision less than half the size of what a typical replacement arthroscopy would. Since it is minimally invasive, the subvastus approach will result in less blood loss, a faster recovery, less time at the hospital, and a smaller scar. Studies have proven that a subvastus knee replacement will lead to a quicker post-operative improvement of quadriceps strength, and patients will be able to perform a straight leg raise much sooner.

The main benefit to this option is a quicker return to normal knee function. This is in part because; during a typical knee replacement surgery the kneecap may be flipped out of the way and the quadriceps tendon and muscle are separated. This is not the case with the subvastus approach, allowing patients to return to full control and strength rapidly. Lastly, although this process is new, the products utilized are not. Surgical implants have come a long way, and it is these highly successful and proven implants that are used in the subvastus approach.

If you have been suffering with knee pain, it's time to stop. Give an Asheboro, N.C. orthopedic surgeon a call today and schedule a knee replacement surgery consultation.