When knee pain makes walking, climbing stairs, getting out of a chair, or sleeping difficult, it can affect nearly every part of your day. Medications, injections, physical therapy, and activity changes often provide relief, but severely damaged joints may continue to hurt despite these treatments. Total knee replacement can address widespread joint damage and help many people return to more comfortable everyday movement.
Union County Orthopaedic Group has provided orthopedic care throughout Union County since 1966. The staff includes David E. Rojer, MD, a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon who specializes in adult hip and knee problems and joint replacement surgery.
What Is Total Knee Replacement?
Total knee replacement, also known as total knee arthroplasty, replaces damaged joint surfaces with artificial components. Despite its name, the surgeon does not remove and replace the entire knee.
Instead, the surgeon removes damaged cartilage and small amounts of underlying bone from the ends of the thighbone and shinbone. Metal components cover these surfaces, and a durable plastic spacer creates a smooth gliding surface between them. The kneecap may also be resurfaced depending on your needs.
Who Is a Candidate for Total Knee Replacement?
Knee replacement may be considered when arthritis or other joint damage causes severe symptoms that interfere with everyday life, such as:
- Persistent knee pain at rest or during activity
- Significant stiffness or loss of motion
- Difficulty walking, using stairs, or completing daily tasks
- Swelling that does not improve with other treatments
- A knee deformity caused by advanced joint damage
- Symptoms that continue despite nonsurgical care
Osteoarthritis is a common reason for knee replacement, although rheumatoid arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, and other forms of joint damage can also lead to surgery.
What Happens During Total Knee Replacement?
During surgery, the surgeon carefully removes and prepares the damaged surfaces of the knee. Your surgeon places the metal and plastic components and checks the alignment, stability, and movement of the reconstructed joint.
The goal is to create a stable knee that moves smoothly while reducing pain from damaged joint surfaces. Implant selection and surgical decisions vary according to your anatomy and diagnosis.
What Is Recovery Like After Knee Replacement?
Movement begins relatively early after total knee replacement. Many patients stand and begin walking with assistance on the day of surgery or shortly afterward, then do exercises to improve knee motion and leg strength.
Physical therapy plays a major role throughout recovery. At first, you may need a walker, crutches, or a cane. Many people return to basic daily activities within several weeks, while strength, endurance, and mobility continue improving for several months.
Dr. Rojer’s surgical experience includes a rapid-recovery program using measures such as regional anesthesia, pain-control injections, same-day walking with physical therapy, and discharge home within 24 hours for appropriate patients.
What Results Can You Expect?
Total knee replacement is intended to reduce pain and improve movement and daily function. Many patients return to walking, swimming, cycling, golf, and other low-impact activities after recovery.
Artificial joints can wear over time, so high-impact activities such as running and jumping are commonly discouraged after knee replacement. Risks can include infection, blood clots, stiffness, nerve or blood vessel injury, continued pain, and implant loosening or wear.
Why Choose Union County Orthopaedic Group for Total Knee Replacement in Union County, NJ?
Union County Orthopaedic Group provides comprehensive orthopedic care with a history in the community dating to 1966. Dr. Rojer has focused his career on adult hip and knee reconstruction and has performed more than 2,500 hip and knee replacements since entering private practice in 2003. Surgical care can also be coordinated with OrthoNJ physical therapy services in Union and Clark. Patients can book same-day, early-morning, and lunchtime office appointments, and enjoy free on-site parking.
Take Back More Comfortable Movement
Total knee replacement may be appropriate when advanced joint damage limits your mobility and other solutions no longer provide enough relief. A detailed orthopedic evaluation can clarify whether total replacement, partial replacement, or another form of knee treatment fits your condition.
Request an orthopedic appointment with Union County Orthopaedic Group in Linden at (908) 486-1111, Clark at (732) 388-1761, or Union at (908) 486-4400.