Knee Replacement Specialist
-
- Tweet
Center for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine
Michael L. Blackwell, MD
ORTHOPAEDICS & SPORTS MEDICINE LOCATED IN TOMBALL, KINGWOOD, & THE WOODLANDS, TX
As of yet, there’s, unfortunately, no cure for arthritis, and as the disease causes severe knee problems, knee replacement surgery is sometimes the best option. If you have arthritis of the knees that isn’t responding to other treatments, Michael Blackwell, MD, at the Center for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine in Tomball, Conroe, and The Woodlands, Texas, can help. Dr. Blackwell is an accomplished orthopaedic and sports medicine specialist who has considerable expertise in carrying out knee replacement surgery using the state-of-the-art Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Technology. Call the Center for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine today to find out more or request an appointment online.
Knee Replacement Q & A
Why might I need a knee replacement?
Knee replacement is a potential solution for severe knee pain and dysfunction. One of the most widespread causes of knee problems is the degeneration of the joint caused by various forms of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the primary cause of joint degeneration.
Osteoarthritis is a problem that typically takes years to develop, so it mostly affects older people. It occurs when the protective, slippery cartilage covering the ends of the bones in your joints slowly wears away.
When the cartilage isn’t providing your bones with the protection they need, the end of one bone can catch and rub on the end of the other bones in the joint. The result is inflammation, which leads to pain, stiffness, and, eventually, reduced function.
When would I need a knee replacement?
You wouldn’t have a knee replacement straight away for an arthritic joint, as there are plenty of other less invasive therapies you can try first. Dr. Blackwell provides a comprehensive range of treatments at the Center for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine to help relieve knee pain and increase mobility.
These treatments include conservative measures like physical therapy, bracing, and medication. There are also joint injections that you can try if you’re still experiencing significant pain and disability.
For most patients, these measures prove very successful. However, eventually, they might stop working, or you might not get any benefit from them. This is when Dr. Blackwell might suggest knee replacement.
Would I need a partial or total knee replacement?
Dr. Blackwell might recommend partial knee replacement if he only needs to remove one part of your knee. This has advantages over total joint replacement because the more of your own tissues you can retain, the better.
Partial joint replacement typically means less invasive surgery, shorter recovery time, and a more active life post-surgery.
Partial knee replacement isn’t an option for most patients, though, because arthritis is likely to affect all parts of the knee.
How is knee replacement surgery carried out?
Dr. Blackwell uses the state-of-the-art Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Technology to carry out knee replacement surgery. A CT (computed tomography) scan before the procedure enables the Mako system to create a virtual 3D model of your body. Dr. Blackwell uses the model to tailor the surgical plan to your unique anatomy.
The Mako technology isn’t designed to replace the skill of a surgeon but enhance it. Using the Mako system allows Dr. Blackwell to guide the robotic arm to make more precise cuts and preserve the surrounding tissues.
Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Technology enables Dr. Blackwell to carry out knee replacement surgery with exceptional accuracy, optimizing your recovery. Find out more by calling the Center for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine today or requesting an appointment online.
