Knee Replacement
A knee replacement is a surgical procedure in which parts of an arthritic or damaged joint are removed and replaced with a metal and plastic covering called a prosthesis or artificial joint. The artificial joint replaces cartilage that has worn away over the years. Knee replacement can eliminate pain and allow artificial joints to function just like normal, healthy joints.
Total knee replacement involves the replacement of the entire surface at the ends of your thigh and shin bones with metal and plastic parts. Damaged cartilage is replaced with new joint surfaces in a step-by-step process.
Click on Dr. German's photo
to see a web streaming video
on total knee replacement.
Click on the links below for additional information on other knee procedures and issues.
Femoral nerve block: pain control for knee replacement
Patients facing total knee replacement or other knee surgery at Saint Vincent can look forward to a less painful post-surgery experience with a procedure called a femoral nerve block. A femoral nerve block is a pre-surgical procedure in which an anesthesiologist inserts a catheter into the groin and threads it near the hip or knee. A local anesthetic is delivered to numb the joint during surgery and for two days afterward. Patients benefit from this procedure because it:
- Provides safe and effective post-operative pain control
- Decreases the need for pain medications, thereby also avoiding the possible side effects
- Helps patients begin post-operative physical therapy with less discomfort
Click here to read one patient’s experience of knee replacement surgery and recovery with a femoral nerve block.
Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows your doctor to look at the inside of a joint in your body through a thin viewing instrument called an arthroscope. It allows your doctor to look at the joint surfaces and the surrounding ligaments and cartilage through tiny incisions closed with one stitch each. This procedure can be used to diagnose a joint problem, perform a surgery that repairs a joint problem, remove a loose or foreign body, or monitor a disease or the effectiveness of a treatment. Arthroscopy is commonly performed on the knee, shoulder and ankle. It can also be done on the hip, wrist and elbow.
Click on Dr. Mason's photo
to see a web streaming video
on arthroscopy.