Knee Replacement in Phoenix
at John C. Lincoln Hospitals
Call 602-943-1111 for a referral to a John C. Lincoln knee replacement surgery specialist
Knee arthritis can be debilitating. After struggling with the disease, patients may choose to have knee replacement. Phoenix, Arizona, is home to two hospitals that specialize in this procedure.
Here, our orthopedic staff discusses knee arthritis, and treatment through knee replacement surgery.
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What is knee arthritis?
Arthritis is the most common cause of chronic knee pain and disability. As joint cartilage deteriorates, joint space between bones narrows. To compensate, bones become thicker, creating bone spurs (osteophytes).
In advanced cases, cartilage becomes completely worn away. Bone ends rub against each other, resulting in deformities such as bow-legs.
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How do you treat knee arthritis?
Treating knee arthritis begins conservatively, with anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy and weight loss. Surgical intervention should be considered only after trying these nonoperative therapies.
Some patients benefit from a steroid injection—a powerful, anti-inflammatory medication. Others with mild to moderate arthritis respond to weekly joint fluid injections, to improve the quality of knee joint fluid.
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How can patients tell it's time for knee replacement surgery?
Ultimately, the decision to have knee replacement surgery rests with the patient. An ideal candidate is someone whose condition does not improve with treatment options we just discussed. The arthritis simply may be too advanced.
Knee replacement—in Phoenix, Arizona, and beyond—is a popular topic. However, we caution patients to be mindful of risks of the surgery. Risks include infection, blood clot and loosening of the prosthesis over time.
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| In knee replacement surgery, the diseased bone ends of the femur and tibia are cut away and replaced by a smooth, metal covering, called a prosthesis. A plastic liner is placed between the metal components; this acts like a shock absorber. Components are fixed into place with special bone cement. Click for a larger image. |
How is knee replacement surgery performed?
In knee replacement surgery, diseased bone ends of the femur and tibia are cut away and replaced by a smooth, metal covering—a prosthesis.
A plastic liner, which acts like a shock absorber, is inserted between the metal components. Arthritis on the back of the patella is also removed and replaced with a small plastic piece.
Special bone cement fixes these components into place, allowing patients to walk immediately after surgery.
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How do you help your Phoenix knee replacement patients plan for surgery?
Education is extremely important. Surgeons who perform knee replacement at Phoenix's two John C. Lincoln hospitals take great care to answer patient concerns thoroughly.
Patients also should seek medical clearance from their primary physicians, to review medical risks, medications and lifestyle changes.
We encourage home planning for patients preparing for knee replacement in Phoenix. Patients should seek postsurgery assistance from family members, friends and neighbors.
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What is the knee replacement recovery process like?
Knee replacement recovery spans hospital and home. Throughout the hospital stay, the patient will participate in physical therapy twice daily. Nurses will demonstrate activities that the patient can do on his or her own to promote motion and circulation, and they encourage patients to walk the halls.
At home, it's vitally important to aggressively work on therapy three times daily, at minimum. Physical therapy may be assigned three times per week.
Remember, the first six to eight weeks after surgery are critical for obtaining good motion in the new knee. The patient should have the goal of being able to bend his or her knee at least 0 to 90 degrees within two weeks of surgery. Consistent therapy is a key.
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