When conservative measures to treat knee pain from osteoarthritis fail, partial knee replacement may be an option. Kevin Sullivan, of Fly Creek, underwent the procedure last year and has done so well he's planning to have the same procedure done on his other knee.
"There were days that I didn't want to get out of bed because it hurt so much, but you have to function. I knew a total knee replacement was not something that I wanted to do. I tried ibuprofen. I had lidocaine patches that I put on my knees, especially at night, because all they would do is throb. I couldn't sleep," says Sullivan.
Sullivan and his wife attended a free seminar where Bassett Healthcare Network's orthopedic surgeons explained an advanced technique to treat knee pain using computer navigation and robotic-assisted surgical hand tools, a combination that enables more precise access to the damaged parts of the knee and smaller incisions.
"We generate a virtual model of the knee, which allows us to fine tune the sizing and position of the implants specific to the patient," explains James Scott, DO, the surgeon who performed Sullivan's robotic-assisted partial knee replacement. "At the same time, we're getting real time information on what we call 'balance of the knee' and adequate tension of the ligaments and other soft tissues within the knee that are difficult to attain without the use of the navigation system."
Scott says for individuals who are candidates for partial knee replacement the benefits can include quicker healing, better long-term results, longer implant longevity and potentially avoiding the need for total knee replacement in the future.
"Partial knee replacement is ideal in a patient who has pain in a single location in the knee, thus we can spare healthier cartilage in other areas of the knee. We also preserve the ligaments in the center of the knee, providing a more natural feeling knee once the surgery is complete."
Sullivan, who has been a nurse for 40 years and is an infection prevention specialist at Bassett Medical Center, says, "My quality of life is so much greater. My wife and I are able to plan vacations that include walking and hiking again. It has made a great impact on my life. I'm very happy."
Free Seminar on Joint Pain Treatment Options
Bassett Healthcare Network orthopedic surgeons will be holding a free joint pain seminar June 21 at 5:30 p.m. at O' Connor Hospital in Delhi for individuals interested in learning more about partial knee replacement as well as total knee replacement and hip replacement. Register by visiting: feelbetterwithbassett.com or learn more about partial knee replacement by calling (607) 547-7725.
