Knee Replacement

An estimated 27 million people in the United States suffer from knee osteoarthritis, a chronic and painful joint condition that occurs when cartilage inside the knee breaks down. Seniors are at a higher risk for developing this condition, which can occur due to a previous injury, certain inflammatory or medical conditions, or simply from years of wear and tear.

If non-surgical treatments haven't been effective, you may want to consider a total knee or partial knee replacement surgery.

Schedule a Consultation

Take your first step toward pain-free living by scheduling a knee replacement consultation with one of our specialists at 954-844-2663.

Total Knee or Partial Knee Replacement

Total knee replacement involves the replacement of all three surfaces—femur, tibia and patella—with metal and plastic components. Partial knee replacement involves the replacement of only one knee compartment (medial, lateral or patellofemoral) and may be an option for those who have painful, debilitating arthritis limited to one area of the knee. Only your doctor can determine if you are a candidate for this procedure.

During partial knee replacement, the surgical incision is usually smaller, resulting in less soft tissue trauma to and around the knee. Since more of the native knee is preserved, your knee may feel more natural than after a total knee replacement.¹ Other potential benefits to partial knee replacement include:

Accelerated rehabilitation¹
Faster operation
Shorter hospital stay compared to a total knee replacement¹
Decreased post-surgical pain

How Long Will My Knee Replacement Last?

All knee replacements can wear out over time, including total knee replacements. How long a particular implant may last varies from patient to patient and depends on a number of factors including the patient’s weight, activity level and the accuracy of the implant’s placement. In general, many partial knee replacements do not last as long as total knee replacements. However, the factors causing this are complicated and should be discussed with your doctor.

Smart Snippet: Video
Datasource: Norma's total knee replacement story

What Are the Risks?

The primary benefit of knee replacement surgery is pain relief. As pain improves, function usually improves too. This surgery is extremely effective, but of course there are no guarantees. Additional risks of surgery, for both partial and total knee replacement, include:

Blood clots in leg veins (venous thromboembolic disease)
Fractures
Infection
Loosening of implant
Nerve or blood vessel damage

Your surgeon and healthcare team will take great care to minimize the risk of these and other complications. Keep in mind that complications are rare, but they need to be understood by you and your family. Your surgeon will be happy to answer any questions.

¹ OrthoInfo, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Unicompartmental Knee Replacement

Why Choose Memorial for Knee Replacement Surgery

joint commission gold seal

Memorial Joint Replacement Center at Memorial Hospital West has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval^® for Advanced Total Hip and Knee Replacement Certification. The certification, offered in collaboration with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, means patients can expect a consistently high level of quality care and a reduced risk of error thanks to Memorial’s unwavering commitment to data-driven performance improvement and patient- and family-centered care.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association has selected Memorial Regional Hospital and Memorial Hospital West as a Blue Distinction Center+ for Knee and Hip Replacement, as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Facilities designated as Blue Distinction Centers® for Hip and Knee Replacement demonstrate expertise in total knee and total hip replacement surgeries, resulting in fewer patient complications and hospital readmissions.

Outpatient Rehabilitation

After your knee replacement surgery, our team continues to support you during your recovery. Our clinical exercise physiologists can create an individualized exercise plan to get you back to the activities you once enjoyed through our Total Joint Replacement Recovery Program.