Knee Replacement | Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia | MedStar Health

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We offer a variety of advanced 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?

This surgery is designed to help you regain your strength, balance, and mobility. In a 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 requires surgery treatment include:

Chronic pain that does not respond to other treatment options

Types of knee replacement surgeries

  • Robotic Knee Replacement:
    We offer a unique robotic knee replacement called Makoplasty, which can be scheduled for partial or total replacement. MedStar Health performs more Makoplasty procedures than any other hospital in Maryland. 

  • 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 this replacement surgery are candidates.

  • Total knee replacement:
    Also known as knee arthroplasty 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 a lifetime, but in some cases, people develop additional complications. 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 knee replacement:
    Your knee replacement should be as unique as you. That’s why we offer robotic surgery with 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 involve?

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

  • Partial knee replacement: Your surgeon removes only the damaged portion of your knee. Only one compartment is replaced, compared with three compartments in a full knee replacement.

  • Total knee replacement: When there is extensive knee osteoarthritis, knee replacement is required. 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.

What happens after surgery?

Most patients return directly home after 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 surgery takes about six to eight weeks, and then often continues for a full year.

Related Information

Videos

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    Watch Medication After Surgery video

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

What are the benefits of undergoing knee replacement?

Our goal is for you to experience the following benefits after having 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

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    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

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    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


Don’t let knee pain stop you from living your best life. Take our free assessment below to learn about your treatment options.
 
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Our providers

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Hip and Knee Orthopedic Surgery

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Orthopedic Surgery

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Additional information

Patient resources

Joint Replacement Patient Guide
Medical History and Physical
Registration Form

Related services

Emergency Medicine
Knee Arthritis
Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee Pain
Orthopedic Injuries and Post-Surgical Services
Orthopedic Rehabilitation
Orthopedics
Pharmacy
Primary Care
Telehealth