Total Knee Replacement (TKR) Surgery
Experienced New York knee arthroscopic surgeons you can count on
Total knee replacement (TKR) surgery can often be the best way to fully repair your injured knee or damaged knee joint. As part of the procedure, parts of the knee and knee joint are often removed and replaced with an artificial joint (prosthesis) made of metal, high-grade plastic or another durable substance.
TKR surgery can be a very complicated surgical knee injury treatment. That’s why it’s important that you have an experienced knee surgeon operating on you who’s familiar with the most advanced and most effective knee injury medical procedures. That’s why we want to meet with you at IMC Bone Doc. Our board-certified, New York knee replacement surgeons have more than 100 years of combined medical experience. We know what to do because our doctors at Island Musculoskeletal Care have been doing this work for decades.
How do I know if I need total knee replacement (TKR) surgery?
The only way to know for sure if you need total knee replacement surgery is to have an experienced knee surgeon examine you. Each one of our seven New York offices is fully equipped with an MRI machine and other diagnostic equipment. So, we can diagnose what’s wrong with your knee right there.
Every person is unique, but common reasons why you may need TKR surgery include:
- Osteoarthritis – A type of arthritis often associated with normal wear and tear in older adults, particularly adults over 50 years old. When this occurs, loss of cartilage can result in the bones in the knee rubbing together.
- Rheumatoid arthritis – This type of arthritis involves chronic inflammation of the membrane surrounding the bones and joint in the knee. As a result, this form of arthritis is often known as inflammatory arthritis.
- Bone fracture – A broken bone in or around the knee joint can be extremely painful and may require total knee replacement surgery.
- Knee trauma – Trauma (injuries) to the knee that requires total knee replacement surgery can cover a wide range, from torn knee ligaments to soft tissue tears.
- Repetitive overuse – Over time, your knee can sustain serious injuries that result in chronic pain and discomfort. In certain cases, the best remedy for long-term overuse is total knee replacement surgery.
- Increased body weight – Over time, additional body weight can put excessive strain and tension on a person’s knees, resulting in serious knee injuries including torn ligaments or loss of cartilage.
- Knee deformities – From bowed knees to improper knee alignment, total knee replacement surgery can often be the best way to correct these deformities.
These are just a few of the reasons why you may need total knee replacement surgery. There are other reasons why. That’s why it’s important to have a medical professional examine you as soon as possible if you are experiencing severe knee pain or other knee problems.
What does total knee replacement surgery involve?
Total knee replacement surgery involves removing damaged parts of the knee and replacing them with an artificial knee joint. In order to do this, your surgeon will need to make an incision in your knee, revealing the knee joint and any part of your knee that is damaged. The surgeon will then remove any damaged parts of the shinbone (tibia), cartilage as well as any bone growths or bone deformities.
The artificial knee implant will then be properly positioned and aligned inside your knee. Additional artificial material may also be placed inside your knee as part of your total knee replacement surgery. In particular, your surgeon may place a device called an articular surface between the knee implants. This is done to create a smooth surface for easier movement.
Before carefully sewing your knee shut, one of our surgeons will test your knee to make sure you have a full range of motion. The entire procedure normally takes 1 to 2 hours, but operation times could vary depending on your medical condition.
What should I expect after my total knee replacement surgery?
Recovery times vary for total knee replacement surgical procedures. Immediately after your surgical procedure, you will likely need to spend several days overnight in a hospital. Afterwards, you will then likely need to use a walker or crutches for three to six weeks. Recovery times may vary, however.
During your recovery time, you may not initially be able to perform routine daily activities, such as shopping or light housekeeping. You should also consult with your doctor to find out if it’s safe for you to drive. In certain cases, you might have to avoid driving for several weeks due to the strain of bending your knees to operate a vehicle and poor muscle control shortly after surgery.
As part of your recovery from total knee replacement surgery, you will likely need physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around your knee. Each one of our offices has a fully-licensed physical therapist and advanced physical therapy equipment. That way, you can get the treatment you need at a location convenient for you.
In addition, our doctors have extensive experience dealing with pain management, especially when it comes to relieving knee pain. In particular, we regularly provide minimally invasive procedures designed to reduce the pain in your body, including injecting pain-relieving gels into the knee, which can delay the need for knee replacement surgery for several months.
Trust our NYC knee surgeons to perform your TKR surgery. Contact us
Get the relief you deserve for your knee pain. Contact us and schedule an appointment with one of our doctors to find out if total knee replacement surgery is right for you. Our medical practice is in network and accepts coverage by most insurance providers. As a result, your knee surgery may be covered by your medical insurance. This is especially true if you hurt your knee on the job. New York’s workers’ compensation insurance should cover the cost of your knee operation and other medical bills.
Contact us online or call us. We have seven offices conveniently located in the greater New York City and Long Island area. In many cases, you may be able to schedule an appointment with one of our New York orthopedic knee surgeons the same day.
