Your knees are the largest and most complex Joints In your body, and also some of the most complex, with many moving parts that need to work together for optimal function. When there Is a breakdown, the entire Joint Is compromised, and your ability to move and function may be greatly impaired. At Orthopaedic Associates of Reading. Ltd., we offer knee replacement options that range from complex to partial, providing patients In Berks County and beyond with long-lasting solutions. To learn more about knee replacement surgery, call or request an appointment.
KNEE REPLACEMENT Q&A
1. Why would I need a knee replacement?
Every time you jump, pivot, stop or simply walk down the street, your knees are providing crucial support, mobility and range of motion. In fact, these large joints are arguably some of the most hardworking, which is why when a problem strikes, it hijacks your life in appreciable ways.
Osteoarthritis is the main culprit behind the need for knee replacement surgery. This degenerative disorder causes the cartilage that covers the ends of your bones to break down, leaving them to rub together painfully, which causes inflammation. Since the disease is progressive, the deterioration can become so severe tha1 you’re no longer, able to enjoy full use of your knee.
Injuries can also bring on early arthritis and other forms of inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, which can cause irreversible damage in these large joints.
Whatever the case, you’re left with a compromised joint that places severe limitations on your life which is where the knee replacement surgery comes in.
2. What are the options in knee replacement?
When it comes to replacing your knee joint, Orthopaedic Associates of Reading, Ltd.
offers patient specific and anatomic knee replacement to fit your unique situation.
Some of these options include:
Total Knee Replacement
In this procedure, the damaged cartilage and bone of the joint is removed and replaced with metal and plastic components to restore your quality of life and remove your pain. Our surgeons use minimally invasive techniques in this type of surgery in order to eliminate damage to the muscles around the knee and expedite your recovery.
Partial Knee Replacement
If your problem affects only one area of your knee, we prefer to preserve the healthier components of your joint. In this case you may qualify for a partial knee replacement thus maintaining the normal anatomy of a portion of your joint.
Complex Primary Knee Surgery
If there is considerable damage or deformity inside your knee, our specialists excel in regaining the normal function of your knee by correcting your deformity in order to enhance your overall quality of life and decrease your pain.
3. What if I need a new knee replacement?
Just as your original knee succumbed to wear-and-tear or injury so too can your replacement knee. If you outlive your replacement knee, our surgeons are skilled in revision surgery in order to correct and replace those faulty parts with new components to give you more years of pain-free movement.
If you’d like to explore your options in knee replacement surgery, call Orthopaedic Associates or Reading Ltd. or request an appointment.