Knee Replacement

Artificial Cartilage Could Be a Godsend for Our Knees

Scientists have long searched for a gel as tough as the real stuff. Is this it?

Artificial Cartilage Could Be a Godsend for Our Knees

Scientists have long searched for a gel as tough as the real stuff. Is this it?

Research shows opioid-free pain relief after total knee replacement surgery is a possibility

A recent Phase 4 PILLAR Study about the use in total knee arthroplasty of EXPAREL® (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension)5, a non-opioid, long-lasting local analgesic targeted at the surgical site, underscores the importance of non-opioid pain management options that can reduce a patient’s exposure to opioids.

What Does Knee Surgery Cost? Few Know, and That’s a Problem

The price we pay for health care often has little connection to what it actually costs. One hospital decided to investigate.

A knee replacement can cost anywhere from $16,000 to $61,000. That makes no sense

Sullivan hopes that more efforts like these to release data and increase transparency will help compress some of the variation that shows up in the health care market now. Maybe it will, but it probably won't happen quickly. Why should marquee hospitals, after all, give up their great leverage in price negotiations? They've got, in some situations, a trump card that they are not afraid to play.

All You Want to Know About Total Knee Replacement

Most knee replacement surgery is performed under a combination of general anesthesia, peripheral nerve blocks, and spinal (epidural) anesthesia. You will also receive at least one dose of antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection.

Employers are steering workers toward a controversial stem cell therapy

Before employees in certain cities can undergo knee replacement, they first must visit a stem cell provider. Hy-Vee has contracted with one of the United States’ leading stem cell companies — Regenexx, based in Des Moines, Iowa — that claims injections of concentrated bone marrow or platelets can help patients avoid expensive joint surgery.

How the ATTUNE® Knee System supports many patient profiles — from active to aging

The ideal system for TKR provides instrumentation options that allow surgeons to perform TKR with their preferred method, and the ATTUNE Knee was designed to allow for such flexibility.

One third of people getting knee replacements don't need them

A knee replacement is a decidedly unpleasant event. From the hassle of getting the surgery to the three-month recovery to the possibility of catching an infection while you're in the hospital, nothing aside from a possible balloon or flower delivery is very fun. But knee surgery isn't something we do for fun. It's something we do because we think its the treatment we need — but it turns out, in a high number of cases, even that isn't true.

Study Points to Benefits of Knee Replacement Surgery Over Therapy Alone

Despite hundreds of thousands of knee replacements performed in the United States yearly, until now there had been no rigorously controlled trial comparing the operation with more conservative approaches.

To Knee or Not to Knee: Three Things to Consider Before You Say, 'I Want a Knee Replacement'

Here are the three things I think are important to understand as you decide whether to have knee replacement surgery...

Total Knee Replacement animation

In depth video from Hospital for Special Surgery.

What You Need to Do Before Having Knee Surgery

Research shows that building strength before a knee replacement leads to better outcomes.

When is it time for a knee replacement?

Timing is key. If you get the procedure too soon, you might not see enough improvement to make the surgery worth it. In addition, the younger you are when you have knee replacement surgery, the greater the chances it will not last and another surgery may be needed.

Why Double Knee Replacement Might Be Best

Some studies show double knee surgeries are cost-effective, and as safe as single knee procedures, but other large studies conclude getting both knees replaced at the same time carries higher complication risks.

Think Twice Before Choosing Knee Replacement

For someone whose knee is sore and creaky, the prospect of replacing it with a new, metal-and-plastic version of the joint can be beguiling. The surgery seems so easy and to promise so much: better mobility, less pain, an approximation, almost, of youth. But there is growing evidence that knee-replacement surgery may be too seductive — and that many people considering the procedure would be better served to first try other ways to improve their knees.

10 Muscle-Strengthening Exercises to Perform Before a Total Knee Replacement

Begin with 5 to 10 repetitions of each exercise twice a day the first week, then increase to 10 to 15 repetitions by week two, and finally move up to 15 to 20 repetitions by week three.

5 Tips to Avoid Knee-Replacement Surgery

Doctors are faced with an epidemic of younger patients with advanced knee arthritis. Here are five steps you can take to keep your knee joints healthy and avoid the knife.

Knee1.com

Read about conditions related to knee here. Knee injury itself is generally not the concern, but rather complications that can arise as a result of it. Learn how to spot these conditions, treat them, and prevent them from recurring.

BoneSmart

There are several different implant designs (see: total implants | partial implants) but each will offer renewed stability and movement. Overall, there are two main benefits to be gained from knee replacement surgery: (1) elimination of pain and (2) improved range of motion. Of all possible surgical interventions, total knee replacement offers the greatest quality of life improvement. The procedure has a high rate of success.

OrthoInfo

Knee replacement surgery was first performed in 1968. Since then, improvements in surgical materials and techniques have greatly increased its effectiveness. Total knee replacements are one of the most successful procedures in all of medicine.

Stryker

For the vast majority of patients, joint replacement can be successful in providing relief from pain and improved mobility for many years. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, knee replacement procedures have been found to result in significant restoration of function and reduction of pain in 90% to 95% of patients.

Attune

Have you been imagining what a knee replacement could do for you? Connect and learn from doctors and patients by watching our webinars.

Harvard Health

If you need a replacement, or think it’s time to seriously consider it, Harvard’s Total Knee Replacement guide is invaluable.

Mayo Clinic

Four to six weeks after knee replacement surgery, you generally can resume most normal daily activities such as shopping and light housekeeping. Driving is also possible at around four weeks if you can bend your knee far enough to sit in a car and you have enough muscle control to properly operate the brakes and accelerator. After you've recovered, you can enjoy a variety of low-impact activities, such as walking, swimming, golfing or biking.

MedicineNet

During a total knee replacement, the end of the femur bone is removed and replaced with a metal shell. The end of the lower leg bone (tibia) is also removed and replaced with a channeled plastic piece with a metal stem. Depending on the condition of the kneecap portion of the knee joint, a plastic "button" may also be added under the kneecap surface. The artificial components of a total knee replacement are referred to as the prosthesis.

MedlinePlus

The surgery can cause scarring, blood clots, and, rarely, infections. After a knee replacement, you will no longer be able to do certain activities, such as jogging and high-impact sports.

NHS

For most people, a replacement knee will last for at least 15 to 20 years, especially if the new knee is cared for properly and not put under too much strain.

Patient

Knee replacement surgery has improved dramatically over the period of a few decades because of improved techniques, improved materials and improved understanding of knee physiology and function. More successful and durable knee replacement has had a big impact on clinical practice.