Knee Replacement

Southwest Orthopedic Group, LLP

Orthopedic Surgery located in Houston, TX & The Greater Houston Area

If you’re living with knee pain that’s affecting your quality of life, a knee replacement can be a safe and effective solution. At Southwest Orthopedic Group, LLP, with nine locations in Houston, Texas, and the greater Houston area, the highly trained, board-certified surgeons provide personalized care and treatment for a variety of knee conditions, including surgical knee replacements. To find relief for your knee pain, call Southwest Orthopedic Group, LLP to schedule an appointment today.

Knee Replacement Q & A

When would I need a knee replacement?

You may need a surgical knee replacement, or knee arthroplasty, to replace the surface of a damaged or diseased knee joint. Doctors perform more than 600,000 knee replacements each year in the United States.

In most cases, chronic knee pain or disability is due to one of three types of arthritis:

Osteoarthritis: the product of age-related wear-and-tear on the cartilage cushioning your knee bones
Rheumatoid arthritis: chronic inflammation that leads to cartilage loss and damage
Post-traumatic arthritis: cartilage damage due to a serious knee injury

Knee replacements can be an effective treatment option if your knee pain hasn’t responded to conservative therapies like anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, or cortisone injections.

How does a knee replacement work?

A knee replacement typically takes about one to two hours and involves several steps.

First, your doctor prepares the bones in your knee by removing damaged cartilage and small amounts of underlying bone. Then, they replace this cartilage and bone with metal components to recreate a new surface for your knee joint. After securing these artificial parts in place, your doctor may also resurface your kneecap.

During the final step of your knee replacement surgery, your doctor inserts a medical-grade spacer between the metal components in your knee. This spacer acts as a smooth gliding surface for your joint.

What can I expect after a knee replacement?

After surgery, it’s normal to feel some pain. As you heal, your doctor may prescribe pain medications to help you manage your discomfort.

A physical therapist typically begins working with you to exercise your knee in the days immediately following your surgery. This essential component of your recovery helps you walk and resume your normal activities as quickly as possible. It also includes specific exercises to restore movement to your knee and strengthen your leg.

Once you leave the hospital, your at-home recovery process includes:

Keeping for your staples, stitches, or sutures clean and protected
A healthy diet, sometimes with iron supplements
A personalized exercise plan

Over 90% of people experience dramatic relief from pain after their knee replacement surgery.

To learn more about knee replacement, call Southwest Orthopedic Group, LLP to schedule an appointment today.

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