Knee Replacement

The knee is a complex joint made up of three separate compartments. When wear-and-tear to the knee is confined to one or two compartments, a partial knee replacement may be an option.

The physicians at LKO are leaders in partial joint replacement surgery. We were the first orthopedic surgeons in the Midwest to perform the ConforMIS iUni and iDuo patient-customized partial knee replacement implants.

Benefits of a Partial Knee Implant

During a knee replacement procedure, the damaged bone and cartilage are replaced and resurfaced with metal and plastic components. During a partial knee replacement, only a portion of the knee is resurfaced.  This procedure may be an option for patients whose damage is limited to one area of the knee.  A partial knee replacement is less invasive than a traditional knee replacement since more of the healthy bone and tissue is preserved. The benefits are:

• Less tissue trauma during surgery
• Smaller incision area
• Less pain
• Faster recovery times
• A more natural fit, feel, and range of motion

As we age, our joints often suffer from the wear and tear of everyday activities, leading to conditions that may hinder our mobility and overall quality of life. One such condition is knee arthritis—a degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of cartilage, causing pain, stiffness, and restricted movement. For individuals seeking relief from chronic knee pain and restored functionality, knee replacement surgery has proven to be a highly effective solution, providing a new lease on life.

Understanding Knee Replacement Surgery:

Knee replacement, also known as knee arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure that involves resurfacing the damaged parts of the knee joint with artificial materials. The surgery is typically recommended for individuals who have exhausted non-surgical treatments such as NSAIDs, physical therapy, and joint injections without achieving satisfactory outcomes.

During the procedure, the surgeon removes the damaged bone and cartilage, replacing them with prosthetic components made of metal and plastic. These components mimic the natural movement of a healthy knee joint, alleviating pain and improving mobility.

Benefits of Knee Replacement:

1. Reduced Pain: One of the most significant advantages of knee replacement surgery is the relief from chronic knee pain. Patients often experience a dramatic reduction in discomfort, allowing them to engage in activities they were previously unable to enjoy.

2. Improved Mobility:  After knee replacement surgery, patients regain flexibility, stability, and a wider range of motion, leading to an enhanced overall quality of life.

3. Enhanced Quality of Life: Knee replacement surgery often brings about an improved sense of well-being and independence. It enables individuals to participate in physical activities, maintain an active lifestyle, and enjoy daily routines without the hindrance of knee pain.

At Lederman Kwartowitz Center for Orthopedics, our orthopedic surgeons provide the most advanced technology and implant systems for joint replacement. We are pleased to offer Mako® robotic-assisted surgery for knee replacement and have found that it greatly improves both surgical results and quality of life for our patients.

Robotic-Assisted Total and Partial Knee Replacement in West Bloomfield, Michigan

Using a robotic arm and 3D imaging, our orthopedic surgeons can perform surgery more precisely through a smaller incision as compared to traditional replacement surgery.

During Makoplasty partial knee replacement, only the damaged area of the knee joint is replaced. Because healthy bone and tissues are preserved, the procedure results in a more natural-feeling knee.

The advantages of Makoplasty knee replacements include less pain, blood loss, and scarring; shorter hospital stays; and faster rehabilitation and recovery.

To find out if you are a candidate for Makoplasty partial knee replacement surgery or Makoplasty total knee replacement surgery, call (248) 669-2000 for Oakland County's robotic surgery experts at Lederman Kwartowitz Center for Orthopedics. You may also request an appointment online.

Your surgeon will provide a list of items that are required prior to your surgery.  In general, you'll need to do the following before a knee replacement surgery:

• Set up a surgical date
• Discuss the risks & benefits of the surgery
• Make an appointment with your primary care physician, and any specialists that you are treating with, to obtain a medical clearance
• Before your surgery, you will visit our office to meet with the surgeon or the surgeon's physician assistant to plan for a smooth procedure and recovery.  Our surgical coordinator will set up this appointment for you.
• Schedule a pre-hab appointment with our physical therapy team.  Having strong muscles in the upper and lower legs are critical to support the knee joint.  We would like every patient, when possible, to meet with our physical therapy team 1-2 times prior to your procedure to show you exercises that can be done at home prior to surgery to help in your post-surgical recovery.
• Talk to your PCP and any other specialists about medications to stop taking prior to surgery
• Be sure to see your dentist well before the day of your joint replacement surgery (30 days prior is ideal)
• Planning for your return home after surgery will make your recovery easier and more comfortable.  Our surgical coordinator will give you a list of items and ideas to help you prepare your home.

While every patient’s experience with knee replacement surgery is different, most can expect to bear weight and walk with an aid within a few hours of surgery. The majority of our joint replacement procedures are performed outpatient and patients go home the same day.

Patients benefit from having an in-home physical therapist come out for 1-2 weeks post-surgically before transitioning to an outpatient physical therapy program.  Our surgical coordinator will set up in-home physical therapy for you.

You will have post-operative appointments scheduled with our office regularly for the first year.  At these visits, we will take x-rays and discuss your comfort level, function and mobility, and how your new knee is working for you.  Our goal is to make sure that you're healing well and progressing toward your recovery goals.

Outpatient knee replacement surgery, also called "same day knee replacement," "rapid recovery knee replacement," and "ambulatory knee replacement," is a knee replacement surgery that enables qualified patients to return home the same day of the surgery.

The benefits of outpatient knee replacement surgery include:

• Lower risk of infection
• A more comfortable recovery at home
• Quicker return to normal activities

LKO joint replacement surgeons perform a thorough evaluation of each patient's health and circumstances to determine if they are a candidate for outpatient joint replacement surgery.  If you are curious whether you are a candidate for outpatient knee replacement surgery, schedule your appointment with Dr. Mark Kwartowitz, Dr. G. Victor Gibson, and Dr. Collin O'Keefe today.