Knee Replacement Specialist

When do I need a total knee replacement?

Most knee replacements are performed in patients with advanced osteoarthritis. However, you may need a knee replacement following a severe injury, if you have rheumatoid arthritis, or you develop a condition called avascular necrosis.

When you have osteoarthritis, the cartilage on the ends of bones in the joint degenerates. The loss of cartilage allows the bones to rub together within the joint. Over time this friction causes pain, stiffness, inflammation, and joint damage.

Osteoarthritis is a progressive disease. When the degeneration is so advanced that non-surgical treatments do not relieve the pain or improve movement, it’s time to consider a joint replacement.

What happens during total knee replacement surgery?

During a total knee replacement, your New Braunfels Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine surgeon removes all the damaged cartilage. Then they reshape the bones and implant the prosthetic parts.

Your new knee has two metal components, one that caps the lower leg bones and another piece that resembles the shape of your original upper leg bone (the femur). Strong, plastic components replace cartilage.

What is a patient-specific knee replacement?

Patient-specific knee replacement, also called patient-specific instrumentation, takes full advantage of today’s technology to give you a knee replacement that perfectly fits your personal anatomy.

The team at New Braunfels Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine performs this type of surgery using MRI to create a three-dimensional (3D) model of your knee.

Using the 3D model, your surgeon thoroughly evaluates your knee joint, plans your surgery, and determines the size, position, and rotation of your prosthetic knee. This pre-operative planning gives them the ability to customize your knee replacement.

What is a robotic knee replacement?

Robotic-assisted knee replacement goes hand-in-hand with patient-specific surgery. A robotic knee replacement begins with a CT scan to create a virtual 3D knee. Then during your surgery, a robotic arm uses the imaging to guide the procedure.

Your surgeon still performs the surgery, while the robotic components position and hold tools, ensuring to only remove damaged tissues, and guide the bone reshaping to support your prosthesis.

The robotic arm also allows your surgeon to precisely embed the prosthesis. Compared with traditional methods, robotic-assisted knee replacement offers the possibility of a more accurate position, fit, and balance of your knee components.

If you suffer from ongoing knee pain, call New Braunfels Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine, or schedule an appointment online, to discuss knee replacement.