Total Knee

In a total knee replacement, Dr. Mark Gardner surgically removes arthritic surfaces and resurfaces the knee with metal and polyethylene components.          

 

You may be a candidate for joint replacement surgery if you have:

• Ongoing (chronic) joint pain

• Loss of function in a joint

• A traumatic joint injury

• Certain bone defects or bone cancer             

 

Usually, the ideal candidate is older. Younger, more active people may put extra stress on artificial joints. This has historically caused them to wear out earlier than expected. The good news for younger patients is that the more modern bearing surfaces appear to be wearing out far less.

 

Joint replacement surgery is helpful for treating many joint conditions, including:

 

Osteonecrosis — bone death due to a lack of blood supply.

 

Osteoarthritis — a condition that causes the cartilage to break down.

 

Rheumatoid arthritis — an autoimmune disease that attacks cartilage in the joints.

 

Injuries due to trauma — fractures or injuries that damage the joint beyond repair.

 

Bone cancer — certain bone cancers and some benign tumors that invade the joint bone.               

 

Alternatives to joint replacement surgery   

 

To postpone or even avoid having to replace a joint, Dr. Gardner may choose another form of treatment.   It all depends on your situation and overall health. Whenever possible, he will choose the least invasive treatment plan that gives you the most benefit. Besides non-operative treatments, surgical options may include arthroscopy, core decompression, or osteotomy.        

 

Knee arthroscopy                 

Knee arthroscopy is minimally invasive, requiring only very small incisions. Dr. Gardner performs the surgery by inserting a tiny camera inside the knee at the source of the problem, making tiny incisions. He uses the camera as a guide as he inserts other tools to repair the damaged area. This serves as a valuable diagnostic and therapeutic tool for addressing select conditions such as meniscus tears or joint lining issues, especially when complicated by arthritis.

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Determining candidacy for joint replacement:

Patients may be considered for joint replacement surgery if they exhibit symptoms such as persistent joint pain, diminished function, or have sustained traumatic joint injuries. Certain bone defects or conditions like bone cancer may also warrant surgical intervention. Typically, older individuals are prime candidates for joint replacement, as younger, more active patients may exert greater stress on artificial joints, potentially accelerating wear over time. However, advancements in bearing surfaces offer promising durability even for younger patients.

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Indications for joint replacement surgery:

Joint replacement surgery proves beneficial in addressing various joint conditions, including osteonecrosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and trauma-related injuries that compromise joint integrity.

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Visit our Patient Education page to watch videos and learn more about the technology Dr. Gardner utilizes for knee replacement surgery.