Knee Replacement Options

Chronic knee pain is a common issue impacting many people. It’s often caused by arthritis or wear and tear on your knee joint due to aging. In these situations, knee replacement surgery can be an effective solution that will help eliminate your pain so that you can resume your favorite activities.

Knee replacement has a very high success rate. Most patients experience a significant reduction or elimination of pain, increased knee mobility, and an improved quality of life. If you’re considering knee replacement, it’s important to understand your options. Remember that the right approach for you will depend on your specific condition and needs. At Colorado Advanced Orthopedics, our knee replacement surgeons will perform a thorough evaluation and recommend the right procedure to help you restore a pain-free life.

Surgical Options

During knee replacement, damaged portions of your knee joint are removed and replaced with an artificial knee implant. There are three surgical options for knee replacement:

• Total knee replacement
• Partial knee replacement
• Bi-lateral knee replacement

Total knee replacement is typically performed when your arthritis is so severe that all the cartilage in the joint has deteriorated. This procedure involves replacing the entire knee joint with an artificial implant.

If only part of your knee is damaged, partial knee replacement may be recommended. This procedure is less invasive since it only replaces the damaged portion of your knee with an artificial implant. This minimizes trauma to the healthy bone and tissue in your knee.

If you have chronic pain in both knees due to arthritis, bi-lateral knee replacement can be performed. This procedure replaces both damaged knee joints with implants. Bi-lateral knee replacement can be performed simultaneously (both knees are replaced in one surgical procedure) or in stages (each knee is replaced in separate procedures, giving the first knee time to fully heal before the second knee is replaced).

Robotic-Assisted Knee Surgery

At Colorado Advanced Orthopedics, we use the Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery System with all our knee replacement procedures. This advanced technology provides greater precision in implant placement, allowing our knee replacement specialists to achieve a more personalized surgical experience that delivers the best possible outcome while reducing surgical risks.

Alternatives to Knee Replacement Surgery

There are some situations where surgery may not be the right approach:

• Your arthritis isn’t severe enough yet to warrant surgery
• You’re unable to undergo knee replacement
• You’re very young and want to delay the procedure (knee implants will eventually wear out and require revision surgery)
• You’re simply not prepared to commit to a surgical procedure

In these instances, there are alternative approaches that can help you potentially reduce your knee pain and delay the need for knee replacement. Depending on your unique situation, our knee replacement surgeons may recommend one or more of the following options:

• Losing weight – Losing weight can reduce stress on your knee joint. This can help you slow the progression of arthritis, minimize knee pain, and delay the need for surgery.
• Low-impact exercise – Strengthening the muscles near your knee, such as the quadriceps and hamstring muscles, will improve mobility and may reduce pain. Low-impact exercises such as riding a bike or swimming can help to delay the need for surgery.
• Injections – Cortisone and hyaluronic acid injections can temporarily relieve pain, delaying knee replacement. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell injections can also possibly help alleviate knee pain.
• Physical therapy – Physical therapy is often an effective way to reduce pain and improve the strength and mobility in your knee. Our physical therapists will create a customized program based on your specific condition.
• Cartilage regeneration – For younger patients with a limited amount of cartilage damage, cartilage regeneration may be an effective alternative that will replace damaged cartilage, avoiding the need to replace the entire joint.
• Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) – Radiofrequency ablation is performed to destroy the sensory nerves transmitting pain signals from your knee to your brain. This procedure provides temporary relief, as the nerves will regenerate within six months to two years. Still, it can be an effective way to delay knee replacement if you’re not ready to commit to surgery.

Helping You Restore a Pain-Free Life

At Colorado Advanced Orthopedics (CAO), we’re committed to delivering the exceptional medical care you deserve so you can eliminate pain and resume your favorite activities. Our team includes some of the most highly experienced board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons in the area, earning CAO a reputation as the premier orthopedic clinic on the Western Slope.

Dr. Kevin Borchard specializes in joint replacement surgery and performs all knee replacement procedures at CAO. During your consultation, he’ll discuss your knee replacement options and recommend the right approach to achieve the best possible outcome. Dr. Borchard’s specialized training in knee replacement surgery and his use of the Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery System have enabled him to deliver exceptional surgical outcomes that exceed industry standards in various metrics. Our track record of success will give you peace of mind that you’re receiving the best possible knee replacement care.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment. Colorado Advanced Orthopedics serves patients in Meeker, the White River Valley, and the Western Slope.