Our Services
Unicompartmental
Knee Replacement
Unicompartmental or partial knee replacement is an alternative to total knee replacement in some patients who may have arthritis in only one of the 3 compartments of the knee. The Unicompartmental knee surgery is less expensive than total knee replacement with a quicker recovery and quicker return to activities. The surgery is performed in a minimally invasive fashion in many patients can be done as a same-day procedure.
HOW DO I KNOW I AM A CANDIDATE FOR THIS TYPE OF SURGERY?
HOW LONG WILL I BE INCAPACITATED?
WHAT KIND OF ANESTHESIA IS USED?
WILL I HAVE A SCAR?
WHEN WILL I SEE THE DOCTOR AFTER SURGERY?
WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER SURGERY?
WHEN CAN I DRIVE AND RETURN TO WORK?
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I NEED TO BE AWARE OF?
SIGNS OF INFECTION:
SIGNS OF BLOOD CLOTS:
SIGNS OF PULMONARY EMBOLISM:
HOW DO I KNOW I AM A CANDIDATE FOR THIS TYPE OF SURGERY?
You and your orthopedic surgeon will decide if you are a candidate for this type of surgery based on your history, examination, x-rays and response to conservative treatment. Age is not a factor if you are in good health and have a desire to continue living a productive, active life.
HOW LONG WILL I BE INCAPACITATED?
Depending on your age, medical status, and surgeon preference, the surgery will be done as either a same-day procedure or an overnight stay. You will require someone at home to assist you for the first few days. You will be out of bed and walking, bearing full weight, within 2-3 hours after the surgery and will leave the facility with the assistance of a walker or crutches. You will also be wearing a knee immobilizer.
You can discontinue the knee immobilizer on the second day post surgery. Walking and bending the knee is good. Pain or discomfort may limit your activity. You may discontinue the walker when you feel comfortable, usually within one week. You may also use a cane if you desire. You may go up and down the stairs as needed. After the first 2 weeks you should be able to bend the knee while going up and down the stairs. However, many patients achieve this much sooner.
WHAT KIND OF ANESTHESIA IS USED?
This will ultimately be determined by the anesthesiologist after a discussion with you on the morning of surgery. With general anesthesia you will be completely asleep. With spinal anesthesia you will receive an injection in the lower back that produces numbness from the waist down to the toes. You will also receive sedation through an intravenous line. You will not feel pain during surgery.
WILL I HAVE A SCAR?
You will have an incision approximately 3-4 inches in length. It is sutured with surgical staples and covered with a gauze dressing. You may carefully change the gauze dressing as needed to keep the dressing clean and dry. YOU MUST NOT GET THE INCISION WET UNTIL THE SKIN STAPLES ARE REMOVED. THEREFORE YOU MUST SPONGE BATHE. As an alternative, you may also obtain a Bioclusive dressing from the pharmacy which forms a seal around the incision. This will allow you to shower without getting the incision wet. The skin staples will be removed approximately 2 weeks following the surgery. You may not bathe or swim until 2 weeks after the staples are removed.
WHEN WILL I SEE THE DOCTOR AFTER SURGERY?
You should call the office the day after surgery to schedule a follow up appointment. A prescription for therapy will be given after the surgery or at the time of your first postsurgical visit. The staples will be removed and an x-ray will be taken approximately 2 weeks after the surgery.
In order to reduce the stiffness and obtain maximum function of your knee, it is important to maintain a good balance of rest and exercise. Listen to your body. Too much activity will produce increased swelling and/or pain. Too little activity could prolong your recovery and limit your knee mobility.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER SURGERY?
Each patient is different. Age, health and attitude must be taken into consideration. For 2 weeks after surgery your activity level is usually limited but you will be able to walk independently and use the bathroom and kitchen facilities. After 2 weeks you will be able to engage in moderate activities. Within 6 weeks you can generally resume most of your normal activities. Squatting and kneeling come with time.
Walking and normal activities will not harm the implants. They are stable. A physical therapy program is usually helpful. However, it may or may not be necessary depending on your individual situation and progress.
Complete healing generally takes 6-8 weeks. During this time some swelling and discomfort is normal. Most patients will experience progressive improvement for several months.
Some patients may notice a small area of numbness on the outside of the incision. This may or may not resolve over time.
WHEN CAN I DRIVE AND RETURN TO WORK?
You will not be able to drive or return to work until after your first postsurgical visit with the doctor. He will advise you of the answer to this question at that time.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I NEED TO BE AWARE OF?
After your surgery there are some things that you need to be aware of.
SIGNS OF INFECTION:
Increased swelling and redness at the incision site
Change in color, amount, or odor of drainage
Increased pain in the knee
Fever greater than 100.5°
SIGNS OF BLOOD CLOTS:
Swelling in the thigh, calf or ankle that does not go down with elevation.
Pain, heat and tenderness in the calf, back of the knee or groin area
Please note that a blood clot can occur in either leg
SIGNS OF PULMONARY EMBOLISM:
Sudden chest pain
Difficult and/or rapid breathing
Sweating
Confusion
IF YOU NOTICE ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS YOU SHOULD CONTACT THE OFFICE IMMEDIATELY!
Also, in the future, whenever you have dental work or cleaning performed you will need to take a prophylactic antibiotic to prevent infection. If your dentist does not give you a prescription for the antibiotic you should call this office to obtain one.
Knee Replacement
Unicompartmental or partial knee replacement is an alternative to total knee replacement in some patients who may have arthritis in only one of the 3 compartments of the knee. The Unicompartmental knee surgery is less expensive than total knee replacement with a quicker recovery and quicker return to activities. The surgery is performed in a minimally invasive fashion in many patients can be done as a same-day procedure.
HOW DO I KNOW I AM A CANDIDATE FOR THIS TYPE OF SURGERY?
HOW LONG WILL I BE INCAPACITATED?
WHAT KIND OF ANESTHESIA IS USED?
WILL I HAVE A SCAR?
WHEN WILL I SEE THE DOCTOR AFTER SURGERY?
WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER SURGERY?
WHEN CAN I DRIVE AND RETURN TO WORK?
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I NEED TO BE AWARE OF?
SIGNS OF INFECTION:
SIGNS OF BLOOD CLOTS:
SIGNS OF PULMONARY EMBOLISM:
HOW DO I KNOW I AM A CANDIDATE FOR THIS TYPE OF SURGERY?
You and your orthopedic surgeon will decide if you are a candidate for this type of surgery based on your history, examination, x-rays and response to conservative treatment. Age is not a factor if you are in good health and have a desire to continue living a productive, active life.
HOW LONG WILL I BE INCAPACITATED?
Depending on your age, medical status, and surgeon preference, the surgery will be done as either a same-day procedure or an overnight stay. You will require someone at home to assist you for the first few days. You will be out of bed and walking, bearing full weight, within 2-3 hours after the surgery and will leave the facility with the assistance of a walker or crutches. You will also be wearing a knee immobilizer.
You can discontinue the knee immobilizer on the second day post surgery. Walking and bending the knee is good. Pain or discomfort may limit your activity. You may discontinue the walker when you feel comfortable, usually within one week. You may also use a cane if you desire. You may go up and down the stairs as needed. After the first 2 weeks you should be able to bend the knee while going up and down the stairs. However, many patients achieve this much sooner.
WHAT KIND OF ANESTHESIA IS USED?
This will ultimately be determined by the anesthesiologist after a discussion with you on the morning of surgery. With general anesthesia you will be completely asleep. With spinal anesthesia you will receive an injection in the lower back that produces numbness from the waist down to the toes. You will also receive sedation through an intravenous line. You will not feel pain during surgery.
WILL I HAVE A SCAR?
You will have an incision approximately 3-4 inches in length. It is sutured with surgical staples and covered with a gauze dressing. You may carefully change the gauze dressing as needed to keep the dressing clean and dry. YOU MUST NOT GET THE INCISION WET UNTIL THE SKIN STAPLES ARE REMOVED. THEREFORE YOU MUST SPONGE BATHE. As an alternative, you may also obtain a Bioclusive dressing from the pharmacy which forms a seal around the incision. This will allow you to shower without getting the incision wet. The skin staples will be removed approximately 2 weeks following the surgery. You may not bathe or swim until 2 weeks after the staples are removed.
WHEN WILL I SEE THE DOCTOR AFTER SURGERY?
You should call the office the day after surgery to schedule a follow up appointment. A prescription for therapy will be given after the surgery or at the time of your first postsurgical visit. The staples will be removed and an x-ray will be taken approximately 2 weeks after the surgery.
In order to reduce the stiffness and obtain maximum function of your knee, it is important to maintain a good balance of rest and exercise. Listen to your body. Too much activity will produce increased swelling and/or pain. Too little activity could prolong your recovery and limit your knee mobility.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER SURGERY?
Each patient is different. Age, health and attitude must be taken into consideration. For 2 weeks after surgery your activity level is usually limited but you will be able to walk independently and use the bathroom and kitchen facilities. After 2 weeks you will be able to engage in moderate activities. Within 6 weeks you can generally resume most of your normal activities. Squatting and kneeling come with time.
Walking and normal activities will not harm the implants. They are stable. A physical therapy program is usually helpful. However, it may or may not be necessary depending on your individual situation and progress.
Complete healing generally takes 6-8 weeks. During this time some swelling and discomfort is normal. Most patients will experience progressive improvement for several months.
Some patients may notice a small area of numbness on the outside of the incision. This may or may not resolve over time.
WHEN CAN I DRIVE AND RETURN TO WORK?
You will not be able to drive or return to work until after your first postsurgical visit with the doctor. He will advise you of the answer to this question at that time.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I NEED TO BE AWARE OF?
After your surgery there are some things that you need to be aware of.
SIGNS OF INFECTION:
Increased swelling and redness at the incision site
Change in color, amount, or odor of drainage
Increased pain in the knee
Fever greater than 100.5°
SIGNS OF BLOOD CLOTS:
Swelling in the thigh, calf or ankle that does not go down with elevation.
Pain, heat and tenderness in the calf, back of the knee or groin area
Please note that a blood clot can occur in either leg
SIGNS OF PULMONARY EMBOLISM:
Sudden chest pain
Difficult and/or rapid breathing
Sweating
Confusion
IF YOU NOTICE ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS YOU SHOULD CONTACT THE OFFICE IMMEDIATELY!
Also, in the future, whenever you have dental work or cleaning performed you will need to take a prophylactic antibiotic to prevent infection. If your dentist does not give you a prescription for the antibiotic you should call this office to obtain one.