Is your knee pain preventing you from living a comfortable, active and enjoyable life? It may be time for a knee replacement. Join us next week for a free, in-depth seminar with our certified orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Camille Clinton, on knee arthritis, knee replacement and understanding the options and advances in surgical techniques. The seminar will be held at ProOrtho’s Kirkland Campus next Thursday, March 23 at 7 p.m.
Before you attend, we invite you to read the following informational article by Dr. Camille Clinton:
“Arthritis affects over 50 million American adults, with the knee being one of the most commonly affected joints. The chances of someone of getting arthritis depend on a person’s sex (arthritis is more common in women than in men), injuries, family history and weight. Initial treatments for knee arthritis are non-operative, including low impact exercise, medications, braces and injections, but if these treatments are not successful, surgery is considered. While arthroscopic surgery has a limited role in the treatment of knee arthritis, the definitive treatment for knee arthritis is knee replacement (either partial or total knee replacement depending on where the arthritis is located).
Knee replacement is an extremely successful procedure, which is performed for severe knee arthritis when symptoms can no longer be relieved by non-operative measures. There are no strict age criteria for patients undergoing knee replacement, but patients do need to be in adequate health to undergo surgery and actively participate in the recovery period. Over 600,000 knee replacements are performed in the United States annually. As the population ages and the incidence of knee arthritis increases, this number is predicted to exceed 3 million by the year 2030.
Traditional knee replacement requires a large incision, significant soft tissue disruption and often a three to five day hospital stay. Minimally invasive knee replacement results in a much smaller incision, decreased soft tissue disruption and more rapid recovery. Some patients can undergo knee replacement as an outpatient surgery (no hospital stay) and most others just stay overnight in the hospital. In addition, due to less soft tissue disruption, the recovery is faster with a more rapid return of walking and range of motion. In addition, we routinely use computer navigation in the operating room. This means a computer gives real time measurements in the operating room to confirm exact cuts and placement of our implants. This has been shown to improve post-operative alignment in knee replacement surgery.
We also have techniques that have allowed for improved pain control post-operatively. Joint blocks given in the operating room with very long acting anesthetics significantly reduce pain for the first two to three days following surgery. This allows patients to begin therapy and motion with less difficulty. It also helps to decrease the need for strong pain medications the first few days.
The combination of minimally invasive, computer navigated knee replacement has improved our patients’ recovery, range of motion and satisfaction.”
–Camille Clinton, MD
Dr. Clinton’s knee arthritis and knee replacement seminar will be held on Thursday, March 23 at 7 p.m. at the ProOrtho Kirkland Campus – 12911 120th Avenue NE Ste. H-210. Space at the event is limited. Please RSVP for the seminar by emailing ProOrthoFeedback@ProlianceSurgeons.com or calling 425.216.7035.
If knee pain is impacting your ability to live an active, healthy life, ProOrtho’s team of orthopedic surgeons is dedicated to providing you with world-class treatment. Visit a ProOrtho clinic near you, or call (425) 823-4000.
