Knee Replacement Surgery

Total knee replacement surgery is performed to replace severe degeneration of the knee joint. The goal of knee replacement is to provide a pain-free knee that allows relatively normal activities and lasts as long as possible, normally 15 years or longer. More than 300,000 people undergo the procedure each year.

A knee replacement is the resurfacing of the worn-out surfaces of the knee due to inflammation from arthritis, injury, or simple wear and tear. A surgeon replaces lost cartilage with metal and plastic. This is typically done through an incision averaging eight to 10 inches long and down the center of the knee.

Minimally invasive total knee replacement, a different way of performing the surgery, uses an incision that is only four to six inches long. This means that potentially there will be less damage to the tissue around the knee. The benefits of minimally invasive total knee replacement include less blood loss, shorter hospital stays, better motion and often much quicker recovery periods. Discuss with your doctor to find out if you are a candidate for this new procedure.

Oxford Knee

As you know, today's joint replacement candidates are young and more active than ever before. For these patients, who expect to make a quick return to work and other daily activities, the Oxford Knee System may be the treatment of choice. It is less invasive than regular knee implants, reduces recovery time and improves mobility after surgery. The Oxford Knee System is the only FDA-approved, free-floating, meniscal unicompartmental knee system available in the United States.

West Tennessee Bone & Joint physicians are among a select number of physicians in the United States trained to use the Oxford Knee System. Physicians performing this surgery are Dr. Lowell Stonecipher, Dr. Michael Cobb, Dr. David Pearce and Dr. Jason Hutchison. For more information about the procedure that has provided excellent pain relief and a better quality of life for many people, ask your West Tennessee Bone & Joint clinic physician.