Capital City Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine |
Total Knee Replacement in Atlanta Georgia With millions of Americans every year receiving prosthetic implants to correct for the damaging effects of osteoarthritis and other knee joint injuries, total knee replacement is the most commonly performed joint arthroplasty procedure. Total knee replacement restores the quality of life for patients who cannot perform routine activities, such as walking the dog, jogging, or pruning plants, without experiencing pain, stiffness, and immobility due to a musculoskeletal knee condition.
Total knee replacement is indicated for patients who have not experienced acceptable results using conservative treatment methods, such as cortisone injections into the joint, pain medication and NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) treatment, or physical therapy. A consultation with Dr. Fowler and the support staff at Capital City can help determine the best treatment plan for your chronic knee pain. Anatomy of the KneeThe knee is made up of three main parts: the femur (thighbone), the tibia (shinbone), and the patella (kneecap). The femur and the tibia connect to one another and form a hinge joint, swinging with the aid of cartilage that lines the bone endings. The kneecap covers the hinge joint and provides protection to the joint. Four ligaments connect the knee to the surrounding muscles, and provide stability to the joint.The knee is the largest joint in the human body, and bears a significant amount of weight. Because of the body's dependency on the knees to carry the majority of its weight, excessive wear-and-tear occurs, giving rise to degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis, the leading cause of total knee replacement. OsteoarthritisOsteoarthritis, a degenerative condition, wears away at the cartilage that lines joints and causes friction to break down the bones. Without the cartilaginous covering, bone rubs on bone, and abnormal bone growth and degradation of the joint occurs. Symptoms of osteoarthritis include pain, swelling, tenderness, bone spurs, and stiffness of the joint. Because the knee experiences significant wear-and-tear from everyday activities, it is the most common joint affected by this debilitating condition.Osteoarthritis Treatment: Conservative and SurgicalTreatment for degenerative knee arthritis focuses on decreasing the pain and improving mobility in the joint. Knee osteoarthritis can be treated in a multitude of ways, including conservative and surgical intervention. Conservative treatments, such as pain medication, can sufficiently alleviate the pain for many patients. Physical medicine and rehabilitation can also help patients relieve some of the pain and other symptoms of osteoarthritis. If these conservative treatment methods cannot bring pain to an acceptable level, total knee replacement may be indicated.
Total knee arthroplasty relieves pain associated with a diseased or damaged knee by removing the joint and replacing it with a prosthesis made of durable plastic and metal. Knee replacement prosthetics mimic the feel and function of a natural joint, and offer patients the mobility needed to return to previous levels of activity. Following a knee replacement procedure, patients will undergo physical therapy to restore strength in the controlling muscles and should experience pain-free movement soon afterward.
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Total Knee Replacement Surgery