Knee Pain & Surgery
Living with knee pain can keep you from doing the things you love. In the past, many people with chronic knee pain have feared corrective surgery because of lengthy recovery times, but that's changing. MAKOplasty, or MAKO knee replacement, a new option available at St. Joseph’s Medical Center, can help get you back on your feet faster.
St. Joseph’s Medical Center has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Joint Replacement for Hip and Knee Certification by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards.
Why does my knee hurt?
Knee injuries typically result from trauma of some kind. Often, the trauma affects more than one structure in the knee. High-energy trauma, such as car accidents and sports injuries, is usually responsible for fractures, dislocations, and ligament and tendon tears.
Other injuries, such as meniscal tears, tendonitis, and sprains, can occur either from acute (sudden) trauma or chronic (long-term) overuse. Overuse places repeated stress on the knee. This can eventually weaken the knee structures and lead to injury.
Knee Conditions
Pain and swelling are the most common symptoms of any kind of knee injury. Other signs and symptoms include difficulty moving the knee and a catching or locking of the knee. The knee may also be unstable, meaning it feels like your knee is loose or gives way when you use it. For fractures and dislocations, the knee may look deformed or out of alignment.
Common knee injuries include:
- Sprains
- Meniscal tears
- Ligament injuries
- Fracture
- Dislocation
Knee Injury Prevention
The treatment and prevention options our professional suggest depend on the severity of the knee injury. Minor injuries may respond to rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). Anti-inflammatory medicines can help relieve minor pain and swelling. Further treatment may include immobilization with a brace, physical therapy, and joint injections to reduce inflammation and help with healing. Many knee injuries eventually require surgery to fully restore knee function.
Whether your knee needs ice or injections, look to the orthopedists at Dignity Health to offer you advanced, personal care and look out for your overall well-being and health as you heal from your knee injury or condition.
Dignity Health provides comprehensive orthopedic treatment for knee injuries in Stockton and the surrounding areas
Treatment
MAKO Robotic Knee Replacement Surgery
In arthritic knee joints, cartilage loss can result in painful bone-against-bone friction.
If you suffer from one of the following, a MAKO knee replacement may be the answer for you:
- Knee pain with activity, usually on the inner knee and/or under the knee cap, or the outer knee
- Start-up knee pain or stiffness when activities are initiated from a sitting position
- Failure to respond to non-surgical treatments or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication
How MAKOplasty Works
The MAKO system removes only the arthritic tissue and the implant replaces the lost bone tissue. This procedure is performed through a relatively small incision, which helps speed the healing process. Before your Mako knee replacement we’ll use sophisticated imaging and software to build a 3-D reconstruction of your joint. This provides a blueprint for a customized implant, and allows the surgeon to position and align the implant with pinpoint accuracy. This is crucial for comfort, natural motion and implant longevity.
MAKOplasty is powered by the RIO Robotic Arm Interactive Orthopedic System, which allows for extreme precision. During surgery, RIO provides the surgeon with real-time visual, tactile and auditory feedback to facilitate optimal joint resurfacing and implant positioning.
Benefits of Knee Pain Surgery with MAKO
The benefits of MAKOplasty over traditional knee pain surgery include:
- Rapid recovery
- Improved surgical outcomes
- A smaller incision
- Less scarring and reduced blood loss
- Minimal hospitalization
- Less implant wear and loosening
In many cases, MAKO knee resurfacing patients are permitted to walk soon after surgery, drive a car within two weeks and return to normal daily activities shortly thereafter.
Considering Knee Pain Surgery with MAKO?
To learn if MAKO is right for you, call (855) 977-6898 for more information or to schedule an appointment. You can also attend one of our Knee Pain Surgery Informational Events held throughout the year.
Think you might need a knee or hip replacement?
If joint pain is keeping you from the activities you love, it may be time to talk to your doctor about joint replacement. Our orthopedic specialists can help you get back to the life you love.
Take this quick assessment to:
- Determine if lifestyle factors may be causing your pain.
- Evaluate the degree of pain you're experiencing.
- Discover whether your level of pain is keeping you from living your life to the fullest.
- Gain knowledge of underlying symptoms that might lead to joint replacement.
Find a Doctor
Your knee joint is the largest joint in your body. It bears your body weight, supports movement, and acts as a shock absorber. It’s also one of the most easily injured joints. In fact, millions of people each year see their doctor for a knee injury.
If you have experienced a knee injury around the Stockton area, trusted orthopedic doctors at Dignity Health offer complete care to treat your symptoms and get you back on your feet in no time. Click below to make an appointment or to find a doctor near you