Knee Replacement Surgery in Nashville, TN, and Gallatin, TN

A knee replacement surgeon is known as an orthopedist or an orthopedic surgeon. These medical professionals are experienced in treating, diagnosing, and preventing musculoskeletal injuries, diseases, and conditions.

There are many options for knee surgery. The most common include:

– Total Knee Replacement: A total knee replacement is one of the most common surgical procedures performed on the knee. After removing the cartilage from the femur and tibia bone, the surgeon will replace this cartilage with a specialized prosthetic device made of a plastic material. If the patella is not damaged, the doctor may decide to keep it; however, it is only possible to know the condition of the patella after making an incision on the knee.

– Unicompartmental (Partial) Knee Replacement: In simplest terms, the knee joint is composed of the inner part, the outer part, and the knee cap (patella). If arthritis has affected only one part of the joint, such as the inner or outer part, the surgeon may recommend this surgery as there is no need to make a large incision and replace the entire joint.

– Kneecap Replacement (Patellofemoral Arthroplasty): In patellofemoral arthroplasty, the surgeon replaces the lower part of the knee cap. This type of procedure is suitable for people who have arthritis in the knee that only exists under the knee cap. A big advantage of this surgery is that there is no need to replace the complete knee structure, reducing recovery time and potential risks.

– Complex or Revision Knee Replacement: Suitable for people with severe arthritis, complex knee replacement surgery requires surgeons to arrange specialized prosthetic parts with the bigger stem, meaning that the prosthetic cartilage will firmly adhere to the bone.

Common reasons for knee replacement surgery are:

– To decrease pain
– To increase mobility
– To improve activities of daily living
– To improve quality of life

This is commonly needed when suffering from:

– Osteoarthritis
– Rheumatoid arthritis
– Traumatic arthritis

The time it takes to recover from a knee replacement is different in every situation and varies based on a number of factors, including:

– The condition of the knee
– The severity of the knee’s condition
– The overall health of the patient
– The aftercare of the patient
– The lifestyle of the patient
– The type of surgery performed

In most cases, knee replacement surgery takes around six to 12 months to make a full recovery, depending on the activities the patient wishes to return to.

Dos include:

– Do use crutches or a walker
– Do continue to wear elastic stockings
– Do practice exercises as instructed
– Do stop exercising if severe pain occurs
– Do eat a well-balanced diet

Don’ts include:

– Do not overdo it
– Do not cross your legs
– Do not kneel
– Do not jump or run
– Do not place stress on the knee
– Do not lift heavy objects
– Do not bathe in a bathtub
– Do not swim
– Do not place a pillow under the knee
 
Visit one of our clinics to receive top-level care; we have two locations in Tennessee: one in Nashville and one in Gallatin. We serve patients from Gallatin TN, Nashville TN, LaGuardo TN, Cottontown TN, Castalian Springs TN, and Graball TN.