It is a metal and plastic covering for raw, arthritic bone ends, held in place with a special bone cement. It replaces cartilage that has worn away over the years. Replacement eliminates pain and straightens the leg.

Who needs knee replacement?

When arthritis knee pain severely limits your ability to walk, work or perform even simple activities, knee replacement should be considered.

Are there any alternatives to knee replacement?

Knee replacement is recommended only after careful diagnosis of your knee problem. Arthroscopic or microscopic surgery is not helpful once arthritis is advanced.

Anti-inflammatory drugs and cortisone injections usually fail when arthritis is in an advanced stage and bone rubs on bone.

What is the success rate?

Knee replacement is one of the miracles of modern surgery.

Most orthopaedic experts consider it the best method of handling advanced arthritis in the knee joint. It has literally put hundreds of thousands of disabled Americans back on their feet and allowed them to enjoy their golden years.

What about complications?

As with any surgery, there is a risk of complications, but complications after knee replacement are rare…driving on an Interstate highway is probably more dangerous.

To help prevent infection, we use antibiotics at the time of surgery. Special precautions are also taken to help prevent blood clots. Our personnel includes fully trained and experienced nurses and technicians.

How long is the hospital stay?

The average hospital stay for one knee replacement is 3-4 days.

For patients with severe arthritis of both knees, an option is to do both knees during the same hospitalization. That way the total disability will be only slightly longer than the one knee operation, and the problem will be solved in the least amount of time. In some cases, fixing just one knee can save the other for two to three years, if the arthritis is in an early stage. Each individual case is different.

How long is recuperation?

Again, recovery varies with each person. You will use a walker for approximately six weeks after the operation. You can drive a car in 3-4 weeks. Most people gradually increase their activities in 6-8 weeks, and play golf, shuffleboard, or bowl in 12 weeks.

After discharge, there is usually no need for a nursing home or live-in companion. Some patients who live alone like the convenience of staying at a rehab center/nursing home for a short stay after they leave the hospital.

Knee replacement means resurfacing the ends of your thigh bone and shin bone with metal and plastic

Will I need blood?

To reduce or eliminate exposure to hepatitis or AIDS, you may need to donate one or two pints of blood before surgery. At the time of your operation, your stored blood will be given back to you if transfusion becomes necessary.

What about pain?

Thanks to advances in medication technology, we are able to keep you very comfortable after surgery - without the groggy, foggy, 'not-in-control' feeling sometimes associated with narcotics. Any temporary discomfort usually does not compare to the pain endured in the months before surgery.

How should I schedule surgery?

After you notify your doctor that you have made the decision to proceed with surgery, the surgery coordinator at Shoreline Orthopaedics will make all the necessary arrangements. She will schedule the surgery and any other required pre-operative testing and will let you know all the details.

What is the cost?

As Medicare participating physicians, the doctors at Shoreline Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Clinic, PLC accept the amount of Medicare approves for knee replacement. The hospital also accepts Medicare assignment.