Knee Surgery
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Arthritis in its earliest form can be treated conservatively with over the counter medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, activity modification, exercise, and weight loss. Losing just 10 pounds can take 40 pounds of pressure off the knees. Once these self-treatments are not able to provide relief if may be time to see your doctor. Diagnosis is made based on x-rays, symptoms, and physical examination. Treatment options include prescription anti-inflammatories, formal physical therapy, formal weight loss programs, cortisone injections, viscosupplementation injections for knee arthritis, and/or surgery.
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About Knee Replacement Surgery
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A knee replacement, or knee arthoplasty, is a surgical procedure where the weight-bearing surfaces of the knee joint is replaced with a medical grade prosthesis to help relieve pain and help restore the loss of range of motion of the joint. It is typically performed for severe cases of osteoarthritis. The prosthesis contains a combination of medical grade chrome cobalt metal, plastic polyethylene, and can be cemented or cementless. The decision about what prosthesis is used and whether or not it is cemented is decided on a case by case basis and is based on your medical and surgical history, your age, previous and expected activity level after surgery, and what Dr. Orozco has determined will maximize your quality of life. Since this prosthesis is made up of metals and plastics you will likely hear or feel a clicking sound in your new joint as the two components move together.
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The knee joint is the largest hinge joint in the leg. The knee joint allows the knee to bend and straighten or flex and extend. The knee joint meets at the end of the femur or thigh bone and the top of the tibia or shin bone. The knee cap or patella covers this area where the two bones meet. During surgery, these two main bones, the femur and tibia are shaped and prepared to allow for the new prosthesis. The patella may or may not be resurfaced, which is determined during surgery. Robotics may be utilized during your surgery to allow for greater precision in cutting away the diseased arthritic bone to make way for the new
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Sometimes your knee arthritis may not affect the entire knee joint. In these instances you may benefit from a partial knee replacement. Partial knee replacement surgery is performed if you are suffering from arthritis or deterioration of the knee causing chronic pain. While a total knee replacement removes complete segments of the knee, a partial knee replacement only reconstructs the sections impacted by
arthritis.
Robotic Total Knee Replacement
Advances in technology have led to the the ability to provide patients with the option to have joint replacement surgery using robotics. This video shows how the robotic assisted arm is used during surgery to allow for precision cutting which creates the perfect surface for the new prosthesis.
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