Knee Replacement Surgery

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We offer a variety of advanced total knee replacement care and treatment options for patients with knees affected by arthritis, osteoporosis, or other diseases. Our leading-edge procedures provide more precise surgery, faster recovery times, improved pain management, and exceptional results. Our surgeons are dedicated to helping you get back to your active life.

What is knee replacement surgery?

Knee replacement surgery is designed to help you regain your strength, balance, and mobility. In a total knee replacement, damaged tissue is removed, and the knee joint is resurfaced using artificial materials. The surgery is an option for patients who suffer from advanced arthritis of the knee or joint problems that limit basic activities and have not responded to other treatment.

Why is knee replacement surgery performed?

The most common conditions that require treatment by total knee replacement surgery include the following:

Advanced knee arthritis
Debilitating knee pain

Chronic pain that does not respond to other treatment options

Types of knee replacement surgeries

Robotic Knee Replacement:
MedStar Health performs more Makoplasty procedures than any other hospital in Maryland. We offer a unique robotic knee replacement called Makoplasty, which can be scheduled for partial or total knee replacement.
Partial (unicompartmental) knee replacement:
In partial knee replacement, the surgeon removes only the damaged portion of the knee, leaving the healthy parts untouched. Only one compartment is replaced, compared with three compartments in a full joint replacement. About 20 to 25 percent of those who need knee replacement are candidates for a partial knee replacement.
Total knee replacement:
Also known as knee arthroplasty, total knee replacement surgery may help restore balance, mobility, and strength to your knee when nonsurgical treatments don’t work.

During the procedure, a knee surgeon will remove damaged tissue and recreate the surface of the knee joint using artificial materials. These artificial materials include metal and plastic components that help your knee joint glide smoothly. We believe a natural, customized fit to your anatomy is important.
Knee revision:
Knee replacements may last your entire life. In some cases, however, people develop problems with their knee replacements. These problems can stem from various factors, including normal wear and tear, a fracture, an infection, or unexplained pain or stiffness. Knee revision surgery corrects these problems by replacing the damaged knee implant with a healthy new one.
Robotic-assisted knee replacement:
Your knee replacement should be as unique as you. That’s why we offer robotic-assisted technology— 3D planning and guidance tools that give our surgeons the ability to develop a pre-operative plan for each patient and optimize the fit of the joint replacement during the surgery itself.

From beginning to end, this advanced, robotic-assisted technology allows us to perform a more accurate, less traumatic procedure compared to traditional surgery. And, it allows us to completely customize your new joint so that it feels natural and moves seamlessly.

What does knee replacement surgery involve?

Our skilled physicians at MedStar Health offer a few different approaches to knee replacement surgery. These may include:

Partial (unicompartmental) knee replacement: In partial knee replacement, your surgeon removes only the damaged portion of your knee, leaving the healthy parts untouched. Only one compartment is replaced, compared with three compartments in a full knee replacement.
Total knee replacement: When there is extensive knee osteoarthritis, total knee replacement surgery, is performed. With this procedure, the entire surfaces of the femur, tibia, and patella (or kneecap) is replaced and deformities of the leg and knee can be corrected.

After knee replacement surgery

Most patients return directly home after total knee replacement surgery, while some go to a rehabilitation hospital for more physical therapy. As with other joint surgeries, patients must do hourly exercises to strengthen the joint and regain mobility. Initial recovery after a total knee replacement takes about six to eight weeks, and then often continues for a full year.

Related Information

Activities After Knee Replacement
How to Use Crutches, Canes, and Walkers
Exercise Guide
Additional Resources on the Knee

Videos

Watch Medication After Surgery video
Watch Total Knee Replacement Surgery video – Graphic Content Warning – Surgical Procedure

What are the benefits of undergoing knee replacement surgery?

Our goal is for you to experience the following benefits after having knee replacement surgery:

Knee pain relief
Restored range of motion in the knee
Improved leg strength and balance
Ability to return to normal activities
Access to a multidisciplinary network of physicians
High-quality care for simple and complex joint conditions

Online courses

Hip and Knee Replacement Class

This online pre-operative class is designed for patients preparing to undergo total knee replacement, partial knee replacement, or total hip replacement at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital.
Occupational Therapy Tips & Tricks

For outpatient hip or knee replacement patients, this online class will teach you how to prepare your home before your surgery and safely move around afterwards.

Relief from joint pain starts here

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Our providers

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Hip and Knee Orthopedic Surgery

William C. Lennen, MD

Hip And Knee Orthopedic Surgery
Afamefuna Nduaguba, MD

Hip And Knee Orthopedic Surgery
Frank R Ebert, MD

Hip And Knee Orthopedic Surgery
Brian George Evans, MD

Hip And Knee Orthopedic Surgery
Surajudeen Bolarinwa, MD

Hip And Knee Orthopedic Surgery
Kenneth M Vaz, MD

Hip And Knee Orthopedic Surgery
Angela L Tomaschko, MD

Hip And Knee Orthopedic Surgery
Mark Hasenauer, MD

Hip And Knee Orthopedic Surgery & Orthopedic Surgery
Kevin Park, MD

Hip And Knee Orthopedic Surgery
Michael A Jacobs, MD

Hip And Knee Orthopedic Surgery
Daniel Hampton, MD

Sports Medicine, Ankle Orthopedic Surgery, Shoulder Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Knee Orthopedic Surgery, Hip And Knee Orthopedic Surgery, Hip Orthopedic Surgery & Orthopedic Sports Medicine
Ahamefula E Onyike, MD

Hip And Knee Orthopedic Surgery
Henry Robert Boucher, MD

Hip And Knee Orthopedic Surgery & Orthopedic Surgery
Robert P Mckinstry, MD

Hip And Knee Orthopedic Surgery