The knee is the body’s largest joint, and one of the most heavily used parts of the body. Properly functioning knees are critical for balance, movement, and bearing weight. Nearly every normal daily activity involves knee functionality. So it is not surprising that, when you experience a knee problem, you want a solution.

Sometimes persistent knee pain indicates a serious problem that calls for surgical intervention. Usually, an individual reaches this stage after non-invasive procedures such as anti-inflammatory medications, rest, braces, icing, or corticosteroid shots are not enough to alleviate the pain, or only alleviate the pain for a short period.

When parts of the knee debilitate to the point that knee replacement surgery is warranted, one question that can arise is whether the patient should opt for total knee replacement, or for partial knee resurfacing (PKR). At Tchejeyan Orthopaedics in Thousand Oaks, California, we offer both procedures. The question is when and whether PKR is the better treatment option for you.

Total Knee Replacement

Patients who have been dealing with osteoarthritis for years, or who have suffered a serious debilitating injury that permanently damages parts of the knee joint, are candidates for total knee replacement. It is warranted when the damage to the knee is so pervasive that partial knee replacement would not provide sufficient functionality.

Total knee replacement can also be warranted when a patient has had a prior partial knee replacement, but where subsequent degeneration of the knee joint from natural causes, arthritis, or traumatic injury requires more extensive repair, or if the prior surgery was not done well. With total knee replacement, the damaged bones, cartilage, and other parts of the knee are removed, and replaced with a complete prosthetic joint.

When Is Partial Knee Resurfacing Better? 

Yet despite the success of total knee replacement in resolving serious knee problems, sometimes  PKR is a better option. At Tchejeyan, we usually recommend this option when a full knee replacement isn’t  necessary.

With PKR, your surgeon “resurfaces” the damaged bone by removing only those parts that are damaged, and then fits in artificial implants in place of the damaged parts, leaving the natural components of the joint intact. 

For example, suppose the cartilage between the bones in the knee has completely worn away. In this case, the patient will experience tremendous pain from bone rubbing on bone, with nothing to lubricate the joint for movement. If the ligaments and tendons are fine, then the surgeon can leave those intact. The surgeon will remove the damaged bone, and then both rebuild the bone and replace the missing cartilage with artificial implants.

The benefits of PKR are many. Because functioning natural tissue is left alone, the knee feels more natural, and there is less overall tissue damage. A patient can expect a shorter and less painful recovery period. PKR patients can obtain a greater range of motion more rapidly than total knee replacement patients, and because it is less invasive, there is less scarring. 

Resurfacing with the Mako Robot

At Tchejeyan, TKR surgery is facilitated by the use of a MAKO robotic arm. Due to the MAKO’s ability to provide images and measurements during the procedure, the surgeon can perform very precise resurfacing, as well as align artificial devices into the knee joint with extreme accuracy. 

Tchejeyan Ortho was one of the first orthopedic offices in the area to adopt and utilize the MAKO robotic arm. With this device, we have been able to increase the success rate of our procedures from an already excellent 90% to almost 100%. The ability of the MAKO to make more precise movements combined with the surgical skills of our team means that success is easier to achieve, and a pain-free future is within your reach.

If you have serious knee damage, you may not have to undergo a total knee replacement. Find out if PKR may be the better solution to address your knee pain and loss of function. Contact Tchejeyan Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine in Thousand Oaks today to book a consultation with our specialists to find out if PKR is the solution you are looking for.