Knee Replacement Specialist

When would I need a knee replacement?

 Knee replacement surgery (knee arthroplasty) is primarily a treatment for advanced osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis causes progressive joint damage over the years as cartilage breaks down, bones become damaged, and inflammation develops.

When the damage reaches an advanced stage, nonsurgical treatments won't relieve your pain or improve your mobility. At that point, it’s time to consider a knee replacement.

You may also need to replace the joint if you develop osteonecrosis. In this condition, bone dies when the blood supply becomes restricted. 

Am I a good candidate for a knee replacement? 

You should consider knee replacement surgery when:

• Knee pain and stiffness limit your daily activities
• Knee pain persists even while resting
• The knee joint is deformed
• X-rays show extensive joint degeneration
• Treatments like physical therapy and joint injections don't help

The best way to learn if a knee replacement can ease your pain is to schedule a consultation and have Dr. Codjoe evaluate the joint. 

What happens during a total knee replacement?

When you get a total knee replacement, Dr. Codjoe removes the ends of your femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shinbone). Then he clears away all the damaged cartilage and bone and restructures the ends of each leg bone to fit the prosthesis.

Dr. Codjoe places a metal cap over your thigh bone. The cap covers the top of the bone and curves over the front and back, duplicating the shape of the natural bone.

The prosthetic part for your shinbone consists of a metal stem that Dr. Codjoe inserts into the center of the bone. Then he secures a flat metal piece on top of the stem and covers it with a plastic piece that replaces the cartilage.

For the next step, Dr. Codjoe cleans the underside of your kneecap and places a liner over it. Then he connects the prosthetic components together to give you a new, pain-free knee joint. 

What happens during a partial knee replacement?

Your knee consists of three natural areas called the medial, lateral, and patellofemoral compartments. If you develop osteoarthritis in just one compartment, Dr. Codjoe can replace that one area. This procedure is called a partial or unicompartmental knee replacement. 

Replacing the damaged tissues with metal and plastic components restores knee function and relieves your pain. A partial knee replacement allows you to preserve the knee's ligaments and recover more quickly compared to a total knee replacement.

If you struggle with ongoing knee pain, call Paul Codjoe, MD, or book an appointment online to learn if you're a good candidate for a knee replacement.