Any type of knee pain will interfere with your ability to operate normally in daily life and enjoy the activities you love. Issues with cartilage in the knee, as well as other problems with your knee anatomy, may lead you to consider total knee replacement surgery or knee resurfacing. We’re here to tell you the difference between the two and the best way to determine which is the right choice.

Treating Knee Anatomy Issues With Knee Replacement

During a knee replacement surgery, specific devices are placed inside the knee to relieve pain and improve its function. If you’re suffering from complete damage to your knee cartilage or joint, you will be able to enjoy relief from your symptoms, your pain and experience normal knee function for decades after your procedure. The entire knee joint will be removed during the procedure and an implant device will replace the joint.

Who Is Knee Replacement Right For?

Knee replacement surgery is a surgical procedure that helps patients find relief from the symptoms of arthritis, diseases that affect the knees, or knee injuries. Those who have tried a variety of non-invasive treatments, specifically cortisone injections or anti-inflammatory medications, that haven’t made a significant difference in their symptoms may make good candidates for knee replacement surgery.

Preserving Cartilage in the Knee With Knee Resurfacing

During a knee resurfacing procedure, which is also known as partial knee arthroplasty, only the damaged portion of the knee will be removed, typically the surface area of the damaged area, not the entire joint. This technique provides an innovative way to improve the knee when the patient still has healthy tissue, intact ligaments, and healthy cartilage.

Who Is Knee Resurfacing Right For?

Patients who don’t require an invasive approach to address the issues in their knees often make good candidates for knee resurfacing procedures. This procedure is a good option for patients who only need to replace a portion of their knee, not the entire joint. Those who undergo this minimally invasive procedure will preserve the surrounding healthy joints and tissue, have a quicker recovery, and can remain candidates for knee replacement surgery later in life if needed.

Which Procedure Is Right for Me?

An initial consultation with an experienced surgeon is the best way to determine whether you would benefit from knee resurfacing or knee replacement surgery. Some patients are told they must have a knee replacement surgery when in fact, partial knee resurfacing is the best option for them. A detailed evaluation of the knee, x-rays, and a consultation with our surgeon can help you determine the best course of action.
You don’t have to live with debilitating knee pain that limits you from doing the things you love. There is a solution, and you may benefit from knee replacement surgery or knee resurfacing. Dr Gregory H. Tchejeyan, also well-known locally as the “L.A. Knee Guy”, prides himself on finding the best individualized solution for each patient. Contact Tchejeyan Orthopedics and Sports Medicine to schedule a consultation and determine if one of these procedures is the right choice for you.