Knee replacement surgery

The innovative knee replacement program at Northbay Center for Orthopedics allows you to return more quickly than ever to the activities you enjoy. Our joint replacement surgeons have been performing knee replacement surgery for more than 20 years and have the experience and tools to decrease knee pain, restore function and help you return to the activities you enjoy. Some of our patients even return home the same day of surgery.

We guide you through every step of knee replacement, from pre-operative education to help you understand what to expect to state-of-the-art surgery to progressive physical therapy and rehabilitation. Plus, Northbay Health is certified by the Joint Commission Disease-Specific Care Certification for total knee replacements.

Why choose Northbay Health for your knee replacement?

• Minimally invasive surgery options to reduce scarring, recovery time and pain
• Experienced orthopedic surgeons and surgical teams who perform hundreds of orthopedic and joint replacement procedures every year
• Personalized care coordination to ensure your care is seamlessly facilitated from consultation to rehabilitation
• State-of-the-art operating rooms and a dedicated nursing care unit with private rooms
• Individualized education before and after surgery to teach patients and families helpful ways to prepare and recover
• One-on-one physical therapy following knee replacement surgery
• Options for patients who wish to avoid blood transfusions during surgery

Causes of chronic knee pain

To understand what’s causing your knee pain, it helps to understand the knee joint itself. The knee is where your thighbone (femur), shinbone (tibia) and kneecap (patella) come together. The joint is lined with cartilage to cushion the bones and help them glide easily over each other. Muscles, tendons and ligaments support the joint.

Several factors can damage the cartilage that cushions your knee joint, including:

• Osteoarthritis: Degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bone which can cause pain and stiffness, especially in the hip, knee and thumb joints
• Rheumatoid arthritis: An autoimmune disease that can cause joint pain and damage throughout your body
• Age-related wear and tear
• Sports injuries
• Traumatic accidents

When the cartilage wears away, the bones grind against each other instead of moving smoothly. This causes pain and stiffness and affects the joint’s ability to move properly. An artificial knee joint (prosthesis) can replace the damaged joint, reduce pain and restore movement.

Symptoms of chronic knee pain

Some of the most common symptoms of chronic knee pain may include:

• Knee feels unstable or weak
• Knee often buckles or feels like it “gives out”
• Sharp pain in the knee or pain at night
• Feeling of dull, burning pain around the knee
• Knee swelling and stiffness
• Popping, crunching, grinding and/or clicking sounds in the knee

Types of knee replacement surgery

Treatment options for the reconstruction and replacement of the knee joint may include:

Total knee joint replacement
In a total knee joint replacement, all three parts of the knee joint need to be repaired or replaced. Our surgeons remove the damaged cartilage and bone from your knee joint and replace them with prosthetic materials.

Partial knee joint replacement
If only some parts of the knee joint are damaged, a partial knee replacement may be the better choice for you. In a partial knee replacement, only the damaged bone and cartilage need to be removed and replaced, leaving most of your knee tissue and ligaments intact.

Customized knee joint replacement
In certain cases, your surgeon might recommend a customized (patient-specific) knee replacement to repair the damage to your knee joint.

ACL reconstruction
In which a torn anterior cruciate ligament is rebuilt using tissue – most commonly the kneecap tendon or hamstring tendon.

MCL reconstruction
In which a torn medial collateral ligament that has not healed is rebuilt to restore stability to the inner knee.

Rehabilitation after knee replacement surgery

Most patients spend one day in the hospital following surgery. Your rehabilitation may begin in the hospital, often as soon as the day of surgery. Under the supervision of your surgeon, you will begin working with physical and occupational therapists to gain strength and flexibility while getting used to your new joint.

• You’ll start by standing and taking a few steps away from the bed. You may be walking up and down the halls using a walker the day after surgery.
• Most patients return to work and activities they enjoy, depending on the physical demands, within 6 to 12 weeks.
• Plan to follow an individualized program of strengthening and physical therapy for two to three months following surgery.

Northbay Health is the trusted source for knee replacement surgery. Our board-certified orthopedic surgeons, staff and support services can help you regain your active lifestyle with two orthopedic centers in Vacaville and Fairfield.

We offer Video Visits for some specialty care appointments. If you are interested in scheduling a Video Visit, contact the provider’s office directly. The doctor’s office will work with you to determine if this is the right type of visit for you.