Knee pain can occur for many reasons, from ACL injuries to osteoarthritis. Treatment, depending on the cause of the pain, can include joint injections, physical therapy, and surgery.
A knee replacement is often the last resort because it's invasive and requires much recovery. However, severe osteoarthritis or injury may require a prosthetic knee.
Dr. Brandon Downs and his team at Orthopaedic Specialists provide expert orthopaedic services, including knee replacements. Dr. Downs is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon offering conservative and surgical treatments for knee, hip, and shoulder pain.
A knee replacement is a surgical procedure that replaces damaged bone and tissues with prosthetic devices to improve pain and mobility. It's usually the last step in treatment for conditions like severe osteoarthritis or joint deformity.
During knee replacement surgery, Dr. Downs makes an incision on the knee to expose the bone and tissues underneath. He sometimes utilizes the MAKO™ robotics system to give precise measurements and cuts that increase success and decrease tissue damage and pain.
He uses specialized instruments to remove damaged bone and tissue that are causing pain and immobility. He then replaces those tissues with a prosthetic, usually a mix of hard surgical plastic, ceramics, and metal.
A knee replacement aims to improve the range of motion while decreasing pain and improving overall functionality.
Not everyone with knee pain needs a partial or total joint replacement. Because it's invasive, we don't offer it as the first line of treatment. Most people go through many other treatments before considering a knee replacement.
Some symptoms warrant a knee replacement appointment, and Dr. Downs recommends considering knee replacement surgery if you experience any of the following:
Knee pain that continues despite home care, lifestyle modifications, and conservative treatments is often due to degenerative conditions like arthritis. If knee pain is affecting daily living, a knee replacement can help.
Stiffness and swelling that persist despite rest, ice, and medications are signs of a bigger problem. If arthritis or a chronic injury is affecting the joint, a knee replacement could help.
A knee replacement is also an option for knee pain severely affecting mobility. Pain keeping you from enjoying your normal activities is a classic sign of knee joint dysfunction.
Severe osteoarthritis is one of the most prevalent reasons for knee replacements. Over time, the disease destroys the protective tissues within the joint, causing chronic pain and mobility issues.
A knee replacement allows us to replace the damaged tissues with functioning prosthetics for better functionality.
Physical therapy, joint injections, and medications can temporarily relieve knee pain, but when these treatments stop working, surgery may be considered. A knee replacement may be the next step if nonsurgical treatment options do not work to decrease pain.
Call Dr. Downs at Orthopaedic Specialists today to discuss the need for a knee replacement at one of our five offices in the Nashville, Tennessee, area, or request a consultation on our website.
