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What is knee arthroscopy?
It is a procedure to examine the knee joint and repair injured structures in the knee using a camera. Several small incisions are made over the knee to insert the camera and instruments. All the work is done through these small incisions and often patients can walk after their surgery.
What conditions can be treated with knee arthroscopy?
Torn meniscus
ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament Ligament) tears
Certain fractures within the knee
How long does the surgery last?
About 2 hours.
What is it and how is it performed?
Total knee arthroplasty is a procedure to treat osteoarthritis of the knee. It is performed once nonoperative treatments have been exhausted. An incision is made over the front of the knee and the damaged surfaces of the knee are removed. Metal implants are inserted, separated by a plastic spacer, to replace the damaged joint surfaces.
How long does it take to recover?
You can return to your daily activities within several weeks. Patients may return to work after 6 weeks. It takes about three months to heal completely.
What limitations will I have because of the knee replacement?
The main benefit to a knee replacement is the treatment of pain. Generally, patients can easily tolerate low to moderate impact activities, such as golf, cycling, and dancing.
How long does the surgery last?
About two hours.
What is it and how is it performed?
Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty is a procedure to treat osteoarthritis that occurs on only one side of the knee, typically the inner half of the knee. It is performed once nonoperative treatments have been exhausted. An incision is made over the front of the knee and the damaged surfaces of the knee are removed. Metal implants are inserted, separated by a plastic spacer, to replace the damaged joint surfaces.
What are the benefits of having a unicompartmental arthroplasty over total knee arthroplasty?
Smaller incision
Shorter operative time
The ligaments in the knee are not affected
Shorter recovery time
Overall improved proprioception compared to a total knee arthroplasty
Am I a candidate?
Candidates for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty have arthritis in only one side of the knee. A UKA may be performed if the ligaments within the knee are intact and if there is no significant deformity of the knee.
How long does the surgery take?
About one and a half hours.
What is the ACL?
The anterior cruciate ligament is located within the knee and has an important role in knee stability during physical activities. It prevents forward movement of the tibia as well as rotation. The ACL is typically torn during a sudden pivoting motion.
Why does it need to be reconstructed?
Unlike other ligaments in the body, the blood supply to the ACL is limited and therefore does not heal well without a surgery. High impact or cutting sports, such as football, soccer, and skiing, are difficult to return to if the ACL is torn.
ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament Ligament) tears
How is the ACL reconstructed?
Your surgeon will perform a knee arthroscopy to inspect what structures in the knee are damaged and to confirm what needs to be repaired. A graft may be harvested from your knee, or a donor graft may be used. The graft is passed through the tibia and femur and secured in place.
There are numerous options to replace the ACL including:
Hamstring tendon(s)
Quadriceps tendon
Patellar tendon
Allograft (donor tendon)
How long is the surgery?
About 2 hours
What is the recovery time?
A physiotherapist will guide you through your rehabilitation after an ACL reconstruction.
You may begin progressive range of motion and strengthening exercises in the first few months after surgery. Return to low intensity sports takes about 3 months. To recover fully from ACL surgery and return to high-intensity sports takes 9-12 months.
What are the benefits compared to a total knee arthroplasty?
It is more convenient for people since they only need to undergo surgery once, and people are off work for a shorter period of time.
Rehabilitation is faster since physical therapy appointments will focus on both knees at once, rather than having tow separate courses of treatment.
How long does it take to recover?
You can return to your daily activities within several weeks. You may return to work after about one month.
Am I a candidate?
Candidates for bilateral knee arthroplasty are active, have good strength in their legs, and have few or no associated medical conditions.
What is it and how is it performed?
Patellofemoral knee arthroplasty is a procedure to treat osteoarthritis between the patella (kneecap) and the front of the femur. It is performed once nonoperative treatments have been exhausted. An incision is made over the front of the knee and the damaged surfaces of the patella and femur are removed. A metal implant is inserted onto the femur and a plastic liner is placed under the patella.
Am I a candidate?
Patellofemoral arthroplasty is indicated in patients who only have osteoarthritis in this are of the knee.
Your questions and concerns have most likely been asked and answered in our support group. We provide you with reliable patient education and resources to help you throughout this life-changing process.
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