Knee replacement

The knee is the largest joint in the body. It is the junction of the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone), connected by major tendons and ligaments, which include the:

• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
• Lateral collateral ligament (LCL)
• Medial collateral ligament (MCL)
• Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)

The knee is protected by a cap called the patella. It uses the meniscus cartilage to provide cushion and absorb shock between the two bones.

The lining inside the knee is a soft cushion of cartilage. Over time, the cartilage can wear away. As it does, the knee becomes stiff and painful. Also, during many sports- and exercise-related activities, the knee is placed under incredible pressure and tension. For these reasons, knee pain and injury are common.

To restore joint health, we use nonsurgical and minimally invasive treatments whenever possible. Our orthopedic program offers a range of surgical and nonsurgical treatments to relieve joint pain and restore function.

A total knee replacement is a common orthopedic surgical procedure that involves removing the knee joint and replacing it with a new, artificial joint (prosthesis). This surgery is often the best option for patients with significant degenerative knee conditions.

Total knee replacement does three things:

• Replaces the end of the femur with a metal surface
• Replaces the tip of the tibia with a plastic piece and metal stem
• Replaces the worn cartilage with artificial cushioning

This surgery typically lasts 60 to 90 minutes and requires a hospital stay of one to three days.

Recovering from total knee replacement

Most patients who have total knee replacement achieve good to excellent results. However, recovery times vary. Some patients can walk the day after surgery. Other patients may walk two weeks after surgery with a device's assistance. Most patients fully recover from total knee replacement after two months of orthopedic rehabilitation.

Partial knee replacement involves replacing a portion of the knee with an artificial joint. This may be an option for patients with early to mid-stage degenerative joint disease.

Partial knee replacement is similar to total knee replacement in many ways. However, there are some advantages of partial knee replacement, including:

• Faster recovery times
• Less pain because the muscles, tendons and ligaments surrounding the knee are not detached or cut
• Shorter hospital stays
• Smaller incisions, resulting in less tissue damage, reduced bleeding and less scarring

Cooled radiofrequency treatment is a noninvasive outpatient option for patients with knee pain. The radiofrequency ablation procedure is a pain management system that uses water-cooled radiofrequency energy to safely deactivate the pain-causing nerves, thus providing nonsurgical relief for patients. This treatment works for pain in artificial knees, as well.

If a knee replacement surgery fails, a knee revision surgery may be an effective treatment option. This procedure involves removing some or all of the artificial joints and replacing them with new prosthetics.

Our hospitals offer inpatient and outpatient physical therapy and rehabilitation. Our skilled physical therapists and occupational therapists use exercises, manual therapy and other specialized techniques to improve joint mobility and function. Rehabilitation services help patients with knee conditions and individuals recovering from surgery.

Robotic technology can help improve the accuracy of an implant’s positioning and may lead to improved function, feel and longevity.

Robotics technologies as well as other non-robotic navigational technologies used at some of our hospitals allow knee replacements to be performed without the use of more invasive alignment guides. Our navigational technologies allow us to personalize each patient's surgical plan to their unique anatomy, while robot-assisted surgical systems improve our surgeons' accuracy and precision during the procedure.

In addition to robotic surgery, we offer some of the latest implant technologies, such as 3D-printed knee implants, which help make knee replacements more customized to the patient's body.

Menorah Medical Center also offers the latest smart knee implant, the first and the only implant that gives you visibility into your post-surgery journey. The implant works in combination with in-person visits and can connect you with your care team 24/7, to help you have a more informed recovery. This implant gathers information about your new knee after surgery, including range of motion, step count, average walking speed and stride length. The smart knee implant automatically collects data throughout the day and sends it directly to your care team overnight through a downloadable app.