Knee Replacement | Partial Knee Replacement | Revision Knee Replacement | Arthroscopic Knee Replacement

Knee Replacement Surgery

Knee replacement surgery allows patients with severe arthritis of the knee to return to a more functional level.  Knee replacement surgery includes the resurfacing of the end of the femur and the top of the tibia with metal caps and then the placement of a hard plastic liner (polyethylene) between the two. This corrects malalignment of the leg and alleviates the pain of arthritis.

Dr. Mayman performs knee replacement surgery on patients with osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, osteonecrosis, post traumatic arthritis, as well as other disorders of the knee.

It is not uncommon for people to have arthritis in both of their knees. Some patients like to have both knees replaced at the same time. There are advantages and disadvantages to having bilateral knee replacement surgery. While it is a much bigger operation with a longer time under anesthesia, more blood loss, and a more difficult rehabilitation, the benefit of bilateral knee replacement surgery is that both knees are done and the patient only has to go through one hospitalization and one rehabilitation. If you are thinking about having both knees replaced at the same time, Dr. Mayman can review all of the specific risks and benefits in relation to your specific case. You will be put through a rigorous pre-operative medical review to make sure that you are an appropriate patient for this procedure. You will then be able to make a safe and informed decision.

Partial Knee Replacement Surgery

The knee joint can be divided up into 3 separate compartments. The medial (inner) side of the joint, lateral (outer) side of the joint, and the area behind the knee cap.

Full knee replacements resurface all three compartments of the knee. Partial knee replacements resurface only one of the three compartments.

If the arthritis only affects one area of the joint then partial knee replacement surgery can be considered.

Partial knee replacement surgery has advantages and disadvantages. The advantages of partial knee replacement surgery are:

1. smaller operation
2. slightly faster recovery
3. typically the knee feels more like a normal knee than full knee replacement

There are also potential disadvantages of partial knee replacement surgery. These potential disadvantages are:

1. higher likelihood of requiring another operation in the future

Patients with partial knee replacements typically feel like the knee is more normal because the ligaments are left alone and two thirds of the knee is still your own knee. The kinematics of the knee are more normal. The most common reason for further surgery is that one of the remaining areas of the knee becomes arthritic.

If we look at long term outcome data, 90% of full knee replacements are still doing well 20 years after surgery and 80% of partial knee replacements are still doing well 10 years after surgery.

Partial knee replacement surgery is a good option for patients with arthritis in one area of the knee joint, but there is a higher risk of needing further surgery in the future.

Dr. Mayman would be happy to discuss the options with you in more detail and help you determine what would be the best option in your individual case.

Revision Knee Replacement Surgery

If you have had a knee replacement and are now having pain or have been told that you need to have part or all of your knee replacement redone, Dr. Mayman can review your symptoms as well as x-rays and other imaging studies and come up with an appropriate individualized treatment plan for your case.

Arthroscopic Knee Replacement

Arthroscopic knee surgery can be very effective in treating patients that have tears in their meniscus cartilage, ligament injuries, or very limited damage to the articular cartilage in the knee. Arthroscopic surgery has not been shown to be effective for treatment of arthritis of the knee. Dr. Mayman can review your symptoms as well as X-rays and/or MRIs of you knee and then come up with the best treatment plan for your specific case.