Learn about the surgical and non-surgical options for treating knee pain
One of the most common causes of knee pain in adults is osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown and eventual loss of joint cartilage. The breakdown and deterioration of cartilage causes the bones to rub together resulting in extreme pain. If you or a loved one suspects that you may have knee osteoarthritis, there are effective surgical and non-surgical treatment options.
Based in Denver, and serving the greater Colorado area, Dr. Derek R. Johnson has treated thousands of patients whose lives have been impacted by debilitating knee pain from osteoarthritis. Dr. Johnson treats his patients as individuals and considers treatment options based on each patient’s medical history and diagnosis. Dr. Johnson always considers non-surgical options first, including lifestyle changes, anti-inflammatory pain medication, and knee injections for reducing pain and increasing mobility. However, as osteoarthritis gets worse, non-surgical treatments may prove to be ineffective, and surgery may be required.
Knee Replacement Surgery
When osteoarthritis becomes too severe for non-surgical treatment options, you might be a candidate for knee replacement surgery (also called knee arthroplasty). In addition to x-rays and imaging results, important considerations include:
• The level and frequency of pain
• Impact of pain your ability to work
• Frequency and level of your pain
• Impact of your pain on your ability to enjoy ordinary activities and recreation
Only an experienced orthopedic surgeon like Dr. Johnson can determine if you are a candidate for surgery, and which type of surgery is best. The two most common options are partial knee surgery (also called partial knee resurfacing) or total knee replacement.
Partial Knee Replacement
Partial knee surgery, also called knee resurfacing, treats only those parts of the knee, called compartments, affected by the disease. There are two types of partial knee replacement: unicompartmental (uni meaning one) and bicompartmental (bi meaning two). Unicompartmental knee replacement treat osteoarthritis in one section of your knee, either the medial or lateral compartment. Bicompartmental procedures treat osteoarthritis in two parts of your knee, either medial and patellofemoral or lateral and patellofemoral. Partial knee replacements can offer unique benefits over total knee replacement, including the possibility of shorter surgery and recovery times.
If you are a candidate for a total knee replacement, you may a candidate for customized, partial-knee implants from Conformis. Using your CT scan, Conformis implants are customized to match your individual anatomy, providing several benefits to the patient, including the potential for a more natural feeling knee.
Total Knee Replacement
When osteoarthritis is too severe for a partial knee replacement, a total knee replacement may be required. A total knee replacement is a surgical replacement of all three compartments of the knee (the medial compartment (inside aspect of the knee), the lateral compartment (outside of the knee) and the patellofemoral compartment (in front of the knee). A total knee replacement replaces the damaged bearing surfaces in your knee that are causing pain.
If you are a candidate for a total knee replacement, you may a candidate for customized, total-knee implants from Conformis. Using your CT scan, Conformis implants are customized to match your individual anatomy, providing several benefits to the patient, including a precise fit.
Contact Us
Dr. Johnson offers the most advanced care possible in a way that is compassionate and caring. Patients with all kinds of orthopedic problems, including osteoarthritis of the knee, visit our clinic, due to our state-of-the-art facility and expertise in treatment. Contact us to make an appointment today.