Is arthritis knee pain keeping you from living an active life?

Total knee replacement can relieve
chronic pain and stiffness

• Are you suffering from chronic knee pain?
• Do you have knee stiffness or deformity?
• Have you had side-effects from NSAID s?

If you have tried pain medication, cortisone injections, physical therapy—or even arthroscopic knee surgery—and still have severe knee pain and disability, total knee replacement could be right for you.

What is total knee replacement?

Total knee replacement is surgery to remove damaged cartilage and bone in the knee and replace them with new metal and plastic joint surfaces. The purpose of total knee replacement is to restore the normal alignment and function of your knee, and to relieve arthritis pain.

Why choose the Center for Orthopedics?

The board-certified orthopedic surgeons at the Center for Orthopedics are trained in the latest knee replacement techniques and procedures, including the new OtisKnee custom-fit knee replacement. If you have pain in only part of your knee, our surgeons also perform innovative procedures such as MAKOplasty® partial hip resurfacing

And for your convenience, we offer everything you need before and after your knee replacement surgery under one roof—from x-rays to physical therapy

Who is a candidate for total knee replacement?

Total knee replacement may be right for you if you suffer from:

• Severe knee pain that limits your everyday activities. Do you have trouble walking, going up and down stairs, or sitting down and getting up from a chair? Is it hard to walk more than a few blocks without significant pain? Do you need to use a cane or walker?
• Moderate or severe pain while resting. Is knee pain bothering you during the day or interfering with your sleep at night?
• Chronic knee inflammation and swelling. Have you tried rest and medications without success?
• Knee deformity. Have your knees bowed in or out?
• Knee stiffness. Are you unable to bend and straighten your knees?
• Failure to obtain pain relief from NSAID s, Have you been taking aspirin or ibuprofen, but it seems to be less and less effective?
• Inability to tolerate, or complications from, pain medications. Have you experienced side-effects from pain drugs?
• Failure to substantially improve with other treatments. Have you tried cortisone injections, physical therapy or arthroscopic knee surgery, but still have severe pain and impaired knee function?

Dr. Daniel Zanotti answers questions
about total knee replacement

Is age a factor in total knee replacement?

“Total replacement patients typically have degenerative, post-traumatic or rheumatoid arthritis. Most of these patients are age 60 or older, but sometimes we have younger patients with arthritis who need a replacement.

“There are different knee replacement materials we can use depending on your age. If you're a younger patient, we will use certain new implant metals—such as porous tantalum—so that no cement or glue is needed in case you eventually need a new knee replacement. Otherwise, your knee implant will be cemented in place.”

What results can I reasonably expect from total knee replacement?

“Nearly everyone who has a total knee replacement finds they have dramatically less knee pain. They also find a great improvement in their ability to perform their normal everyday activities.”

Will I have activity restrictions after having a total knee replacement?

“Yes. After your surgery, you will need to avoid some types of activities for the rest of your life, such as jogging and high-impact sports.”

Will I be in the hospital for a total knee replacement?

“Yes. Total knee replacement is performed on an inpatient basis. You will be in the hospital for probably two or three days after your surgery.”

Will I need physical therapy after my total knee replacement?

“Yes, you will begin a course of physical therapy in the hospital soon after your surgery, and continue your physical therapy sessions after you return home.”

How long is the recovery after total knee replacement?

“You can expect to return to your normal activities 3-4 months after total knee replacement surgery.”

How long will a total knee replacement last?

“Traditional replacement knees are expected to last 12 to 15 years. Newer technologies such as the Otis Knee Custom Fit Knee Replacement may last longer due to improved sizing and alignment.”