Pifer specializes in minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery. This surgical approach involves making multiple small incisions to view and repair the knee. Arthroscopic surgery has many advantages, including a lower complication rate, less damage to surrounding tissue, and faster recovery.
Minimally invasive knee replacement is performed through a shorter incision—typically 4 to 6 inches versus 8 to 10 inches for traditional knee replacement. A smaller incision allows for less tissue disturbance. In addition to a shorter incision, the technique used to open the knee is less invasive.
Knee arthroscopy recovery time
An advantage of knee arthroscopy is the minimal invasive day surgery. This means there's a shorter recovery time and reduced risk of complications. The recovery time is typically around 6 weeks.
Complex knee surgery, kneecap surgery, total knee replacement and partial knee replacement are by far the four most common orthopedic procedures performed on the knee.
Knee replacement, also called knee arthroplasty or total knee replacement, is a surgical procedure to resurface a knee damaged by arthritis. Metal and plastic parts are used to cap the ends of the bones that form the knee joint, along with the kneecap.
Arthroplasty is a surgical procedure to address arthritis or severe knee damage. Arthritis is a medical condition affecting the knee joint. Almost half of Americans diagnosed with arthritis are age 65 and over. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which may develop as you get older.
Stem cell knee therapy is becoming a popular alternative to knee replacement surgery. Through a method known as autologous transplantation, the cells are extracted from the patient's bone marrow or fatty tissue, processed, and immediately injected into the damaged knee.
Doctors sometimes recommend that people under age 60 wait to undergo a knee replacement, because these artificial joints typically last only about 15 to 20 years. If someone younger gets the procedure, the joint will likely need to be replaced again down the line.
TKA patients begin rehabilitation during the seven-day bedrest period, with the goals of decreasing swelling, increasing ROM, promoting normal leg control and promoting normal gait with an assistive device.
In most cases, patients can walk without help from assistive devices like crutches or a walker within six weeks after knee replacement surgery. That said, physical therapy continues after this time to help your knee and the surrounding muscles grow stronger and more flexible.
You will probably need about 6 weeks to recover. If your doctor repaired damaged tissue, recovery will take longer. You may have to limit your activity until your knee strength and movement are back to normal. You may also be in a physical rehabilitation (rehab) program.
Pain is to be expected after the initial knee replacement, but it should not be severe. The first few days after surgery should include the highest level of pain, but your doctor will send you home with pain medication adequate for your pain level.
Total knee replacement recovery time for the elderly is about twelve weeks. You will likely need a walker or crutches to get around for the first two to three weeks. Within four to six weeks, you should notice a significant decrease in swelling and a significant increase in movement ability.
Age alone is no bar to surgery. Older and younger people benefit equally, as long as they are generally healthy to start. However, people under 60 are encouraged to delay total knee replacement if they can.
Most patients can walk on their own roughly four to eight weeks after knee replacement.
Genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive treatment for knee pain due to osteoarthritis of the knee, and can significantly reduce pain, especially for adults who are 50 and older.
The answer: a resounding yes! In fact, people with knee osteoarthritis who walk for exercise are significantly less likely to go on to develop worse pain, according to a 2022 study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology.
Severe knee cartilage loss makes walking, sitting, standing, squatting, and going up and down stairs extremely painful. People with a total loss of knee cartilage can benefit from joint injections. In many cases, surgery including a total knee replacement is needed to treat no cartilage in the knee.
The cartilage damage associated with arthritis is irreversible, but there are nonsurgical and surgical treatments that can help reduce pain, increase joint flexibility and improve overall quality of life for people with knee arthritis.
People may be able to relieve knee arthritis symptoms without surgery. Anti-inflammatory medications, steroid injections, physical therapy, massages, and supplementation may all help ease symptoms.
The idea behind these injections is that they will temporarily restore the natural function of the knee by injecting a substance which will provide cushioning and reduce bone-on-bone contact. Individual responses vary, but many patients experience months, if not potentially a year or more of relief.