KNEE ARTHRITIS

Osteoarthritis of the knee or "bone arthritis" is an increasingly common problem for many people across the country. Arthritis is an inflammatory disease that begins well before symptoms start to cause pain or stiffness. Inflammation builds up in the knee causing irreversible damage to the precious cartilage that lines our joints. Cartilage has no ability to regenerate in an adult, and therefore is lost forever. Once the cartilage has worn away, the end of the bone is exposed and causes a significant amount of pain.

Most treatments for arthritis are conservative or minimally invasive. Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, naproxen, meloxicam, piroxicam, diclofenac and ketorolac can decrease the pain. Injections of steroids, anti-inflammatories, visco supplementation or even stem cells can be used to combat the arthritis.

Once the arthritis has eroded through the precious cartilage, there are few options. Two types of replacement options exist: Partial or Total knee replacement arthroplasty.

Partial Knee Replacement is fast becoming the best option for osteoarthritis. Surgery involves removing less bone and preserves the ligaments, tendons and muscles that help keep us active. Many patients can leave the same day from surgery!

Complete or total knee replacement involves removing the ends of the bone that have become arthritic and painful, and replacing them with metal and plastic to eliminate the "bone on bone" feeling. Knee replacement is a great procedure with a great track record of results. Modern implants, improved techniques and multi modal pain control have helped improve the outcomes. Usually only requiring one overnight hospital stay. Patients can begin walking within hours from surgery. Within a few weeks they are walking with a cane and within six weeks are usually walking without any assistive devices.