Knee Replacement Surgery

At Virtua Orthopedics & Spine, we know how challenging severe knee pain can be. So if you’re experiencing pain whenever you take a step or not participating in activities you enjoy—knee replacement surgery can help relieve discomfort and regain motion.

Am I a Candidate for Knee Replacement Surgery?

While not all knee pain requires a knee replacement, here are some indicators that might make you a good candidate:

• Your knee pain gets in the way of everyday activities
• You experience moderate or severe knee pain while resting or trying to sleep
• You’ve been diagnosed with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis
• Nonsurgical treatment methods like physical therapy or anti-inflammatory medications have not provided sufficient pain relief
• You’ve been diagnosed with severe arthritis, joint gap narrowing, or bone-on-bone arthritis

Ultimately, your surgeon will discuss which treatment option works best for your goals and lifestyle.

Types of Knee Replacement Surgeries at Virtua

During a knee replacement, our surgeons remove damaged bone and cartilage and replace them with metal and plastic components called a prosthesis. Here are the types of knee replacement surgeries we perform:

• Total knee replacement: Generally reserved for when you have damage throughout your joint (typically caused by arthritis), this procedure removes both sides of the damaged joint and replaces them with artificial components. These components are sized and aligned to restore the natural movement of your knee without pain or dysfunction.
• Partial knee replacement: When joint damage is contained to just one part of the knee, this procedure replaces just the damaged portion of the joint. This allows you to retain the healthy portion of your knee and generally features a faster recovery time.
• Quad-sparing knee replacement: With this minimally invasive, robotic-assisted procedure, our surgeons make a 3-to 4-inch incision to replace damaged joints. By not cutting the quadriceps muscle, recovery is faster and less painful.
• Revision knee replacement: During this procedure, surgeons replace existing artificial joints that have become damaged, worn out, or ineffective. While this procedure is fairly uncommon, it’s used to replace older artificial components that have degraded or deformed over time. 

Knee Replacement Surgery at Virtua

Thanks to technological advances and more precise surgical approaches, knee replacement surgeries are among the most common orthopedic procedures we perform. In fact, the artificial implants we use are identical to actual knee joints. That means your knee will move and function exactly as you expect—most times better than ever!

Here's how we approach knee replacement surgeries at Virtua:

• Surgery made simple: We know that undergoing surgery can be intimidating. That's why we take the time to walk you through the entire process, from start to finish. From talking through your personalized treatment plan to answering any questions about the procedure, recovery, and beyond—we prepare you for your surgery every step of the way.
• Designed for you: Just like you, your knee is one of a kind. So when it comes to your artificial implants, we utilize components that perfectly fit your body. That means they'll move, rotate and function exactly as your knee used to prior to pain.
• Partner for life: At Virtua Orthopedics & Spine, we're here to be your trusted partner in health. After surgery, our physical therapists will develop an exercise plan that will build back strength and restore knee mobility.
• Same-day surgery: In some cases, you may be eligible for an outpatient procedure. This means you can return home in as little as a few hours after your surgery and begin your recovery from the comfort of your home.

Benefits of Knee Replacement Surgery

Following a knee replacement surgery, you can expect: 

• Nearly all patients experience complete relief from arthritis
• The ability to get around easier and live an active lifestyle
• Improved quality of life
• Faster recovery times so you can return to daily activities

What to Expect With Knee Replacement Surgery

At Virtua, our team of surgeons, specialists, nurse navigators, and physical therapists will prepare you for every aspect of your surgery. And while every surgery is different, here's what you can expect from your knee replacement surgery: 

• Planning for success: Beyond talking through the details of your surgery, we'll also help prepare you for recovery. That means offering helpful tips like setting up a space on the first floor of your home where you can recover comfortably and avoid steps for a few days.
• Surgery prep: The day before your surgery, we'll call you and let you know when you're scheduled to come in. Most knee replacement surgeries take about two hours to complete. From there, you'll move to a recovery room.
• Surgical recovery: Immediately following surgery, your rehabilitation begins. Our physical therapists will start with some light motion and exercises and gradually work up to larger movements. It's important to know that recovery looks different for everyone, but in most cases, you’ll return home the same day as your procedure.
• The road ahead: Full recovery from a knee replacement varies from person to person. Our physical therapists will provide a regimen of at-home exercises to build strength and restore mobility. We may also recommend a period of in-person physical therapy if necessary. Most people return to normal activity around 10-12 weeks after surgery, with some returning as early as 6-8 weeks after the surgery. Improvements typically continue during the first year after surgery.