Knee Replacement Specialist

What is knee replacement?

Knee replacement is an orthopedic procedure that replaces a damaged or diseased knee joint with an artificial prosthetic. The prosthetic is made of materials like metal alloy, polymer, or plastic and mimics your knee joints’ strength and capabilities.

Who can benefit from a knee replacement?

At Denver Metro Orthopedics, P.C., the doctor usually recommends knee replacement to people with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. Whenever possible, he prescribes minimally invasive treatments first, like losing weight or physical therapy, but if these measures don’t provide relief, surgery may be necessary.

Before recommending knee replacement, Dr. Schwappach considers several factors, including:

• Your age
• The severity of your knee pain
• Your overall health
• A knee joint deformity

Following an in-office consultation, a review of your medical history, and a discussion of your symptoms, he can make recommendations that align with your needs.

What does knee replacement involve?

At Denver Metro Orthopedics, P.C., the doctor offers Mako robotic knee replacement. This advanced procedure uses The Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery System, allowing for smaller incisions, less downtime, and a quicker recovery.

Before surgery, your provider takes a CT scan of your knee joint. He upload your scan to a computer-aided design program and use it to determine the optimal size, placement, and alignment of the implant. After finalizing a design, he schedule a surgery date.

On the day of your operation, you’re placed under general anesthesia. Your surgeon guides Mako’s robotic arm by using a computer control panel and removes the damaged bone and cartilage from your knee. 

Next, they replace the damaged portion of your joint with a prosthetic and use the Mako system to stitch the incision back up.

Following surgery, you’re moved to an observation room, and the recovery process begins.

What is recovery like after knee replacement?

After knee replacement, you stay in the hospital for a day or two. Following surgery, it’s normal to experience swelling, stiffness, and pain. Take your medications as prescribed and follow your surgeon’s recovery instructions carefully.

The length of time you stay in the hospital depends on your age, medical history, and your body’s recovery process. Most people begin physical therapy within a day or two of the operation. To ensure optimal recovery, be patient and attend each checkup.

To see if you’re a candidate for knee replacement, make an appointment at Denver Metro Orthopedics, P.C. by calling the nearest office to speak with a team member or using the online booking tool.