Total Knee Replacement Near Seattle, WA

The Seattle Area’s Leading Knee Surgeon

Knee replacement involves replacing damaged cartilage and bone in the knee joint with metal and plastic components. The amount of bone removed in a knee replacement procedure is typically only about 9-10mm.

If you have been diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis and are seeking surgery, contact board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Robin Fuschs for the diagnosis and treatment of your source of knee pain. Please call (425) 823-4000 to schedule an appointment at our orthopedic clinic near Seattle, WA today!

What are the Symptoms of Knee Osteoarthritis?

Knee replacement is the most effective treatment to reduce pain from arthritis. The most common conditions leading to a knee replacement are osteoarthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Knee osteoarthritis progresses over time, as do the related symptoms. Up until a knee replacement, patients can experience a gradual increase in pain, especially after being inactive for awhile. The knee can swell and feel tender periodically. Arthritis can also cause decreased range of motion as it worsens, which can make it difficult to walk. The knee may also become unstable and buckle or lock, or you might even hear cracking and popping sounds.

What are the Benefits of a Minimally Invasive Knee Replacement with Dr. Fuchs?

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) techniques have transformed knee replacement surgery. Knee surgeons are now able to perform the procedure through a smaller incision with less muscle damage. This has led to less postoperative pain and a quicker recovery after knee surgery.

Recent advances in medical technology have allowed the development of computer-guided navigation and quicker rehabilitation. This new technology allows precise alignment of your knee, potentially reducing wear and leading to a longer-lasting knee replacement.

What Is an Outpatient Knee Replacement?

Pain management, surgical techniques, and anesthesia advancements have resulted in the possibility for more outpatient joint replacement surgeries. Over half of Dr. Fuchs’s knee replacement patients go home the same day on an outpatient basis. During the procedure, the damaged areas of your knee are replaced with metal or plastic component, as in a traditional or minimally invasive knee replacement.

It’s important that outpatient knee replacement patients be healthy enough to have an outpatient surgery and have the appropriate environment at home. If you are a candidate for an outpatient knee replacement, the benefits include a reduced hospital stay, a reduced chance of infection, and a quicker recovery time.

What Can You Expect From Knee Replacement Recovery?

Knee replacement surgery can now be done on an outpatient basis. Over half of Dr. Fuchs’s knee replacement patients go home the same day. Physical therapy is begun immediately after surgery. It is performed at home for the first two weeks and then on an outpatient basis for at least two months. You should expect continued improvement after a knee replacement for six to twelve months, although the majority of the improvement occurs in the first two months.