Knee Surgery

The knee specialists at OrthoColorado Hospital have extensive experience performing knee arthroscopy and often recommend it as a less-invasive alternative to traditional open knee surgery. Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that is helpful in repairing meniscus tears, trimming damaged cartilage, removing inflamed synovial tissue, and reconstructing the ACL, PCL or MCL.

During knee arthroscopy, one of our knee surgeons will insert a microscopic camera into your knee joint through a small incision. The images from the camera will display on video monitor allowing the surgeon to see inside the knee and guide small instruments to repair any damage that is identified. Typically only two or three incisions are used. Knee arthroscopy offers a faster, safer and far less painful alternative to many traditional methods of surgery.

In severe knee injuries, more than one ligament in the knee is often damaged resulting in a multi-ligamentous knee injury. A complex knee injury occurs when more than one of the four major ligaments within the knee has been damaged. The major knee ligaments are the ACL, PCL, MCL and the LCL. When two or three or even all four get injured, the injury becomes significantly more difficult to treat. At OrthoColorado Hospital, we specialize in the surgical treatment of complex knee injuries. The reconstruction of the knee requires a very thorough understanding of the anatomy of the knee to reconstruct every ligament. There are very few orthopedic practices in Colorado that treat multiple ligament knee injuries. Because of our expertise, we treat a higher number of complex knee conditions. For the patient, that translates to a higher surgical success rate.

OrthoColorado Hospital is proud to offer the Mako robotic-arm assisted technology for knee replacement surgery. This highly advanced robotic technology transforms the way joint replacement surgery is performed by using 3D modeling that enables surgeons to create a personalized surgical plan based on each patient’s unique anatomy.

The end result is a better aligned and accurately positioned knee implant that functions smoothly and feels as natural as possible.

Minimally invasive knee replacement is a type of total knee replacement surgery that can replace the damaged or worn surfaces of your knee with an implant. With a shorter recovery time than traditional total knee replacement, this minimally invasive option enables you to quickly get back to a life of mobility, free from chronic pain.

The surgical procedure for a minimally invasive total knee replacement is similar to a traditional knee replacement in many respects. The artificial implants used in a minimally invasive procedure are the same as those used for traditional knee replacement. What differentiates a minimally invasive knee replacement is that it involves much less cutting of the soft tissues and tendons surrounding the knee.

With a traditional total knee replacement, a long vertical incision (eight to 10 inches) is made in the center of the knee so the surgeon can view and access the joint. Minimally invasive knee replacement uses a shorter incision (four to six inches) and avoids cutting major tendons and dislocating the knee.

Minimally invasive knee replacement surgery should only be performed by a well-trained, highly experienced orthopedic surgeon. You can have confidence that you are receiving the highest level of specialized knee care at OrthoColorado Hospital. Our surgeons have extensive experience with the procedure and the specialized surgical instruments it requires.

Because the procedure is less invasive than the traditional method, you’ll likely experience less blood loss during surgery, less postoperative pain and less scarring. You may also notice a quicker recovery time, letting you get back to enjoying everyday activities without a long wait.

Partial knee replacement is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that resurfaces the worn, arthritic surfaces of the knee joint with metal and plastic components. Over time, the cartilage covering the ends of the femur (thighbone) and tibia (shinbone) can wear away causing pain, swelling and reduced mobility. If the wear is confined to one area of the knee, partial knee replacement may be an option. The knee joint is made up of three major compartments. Any of these three areas of contact can fall victim to the wear and tear effects of arthritis — causing pain, heat, stiffness and swelling. Total knee replacement involves the replacement of all three surfaces with metal and plastic components. If arthritis is limited to either the lateral (outside) or medial (inside) compartment of the knee, partial knee replacement may be considered.

There are a number of advantages of partial knee replacement over total knee replacement. Because a smaller area of the knee is affected, the implants are smaller, allowing surgeons to use smaller incisions. In addition, you’ll likely experience less trauma to the bone and surrounding tissue, resulting in less blood loss, less probability of transfusion and a quicker recovery time when compared with total knee replacement.

Total knee replacement, also known as total knee arthroplasty - is one of the most common surgical procedures performed at OrthoColorado Hospital. During the procedure, our fellowship-trained surgeons will remove damaged cartilage and bone from your thighbone, shinbone and kneecap and then implant specially designed pieces of metal and plastic to create a joint that is tailored to your anatomy. Knee replacement can reduce or eliminate pain, allow easier movement and get you back to a normal life. Many varieties of knee implants are available today, and no one design or type is best for every person or situation. Your surgeon will select the implant that is best for your needs.

While partial and total knee replacements are recognized as some of the most successful procedures in medicine, they can fail for a variety of reasons. You may be a candidate for revision knee surgery at OrthoColorado Hospital if:

• Your implant loosens from the bone or the plastic wears off and accumulates around the joint.
• Your artificial joint becomes infected, causing stiffness and pain.
• You suffer from instability due to your knee becoming damaged or improperly balanced.
• You knee doesn’t have the range of motion needed to perform everyday activities.
• You suffer a fracture around the knee replacement.

Revision knee arthroplasty is a complex and challenging procedure. Many surgeons who feel comfortable doing primary joint replacement surgery will not tackle revision surgery because of the added challenges and risks. You can trust the expertise and experience of the knee subspecialty surgeons at OrthoColorado Hospital. From minor revisions that only require the replacement of some implant parts to revision total knee arthroplasty that requires the removal and replacement of the entire implant and possibly rebuilding the bone around the knee with artificial bone – our team has a high success rate in repairing and replacing failed knee replacements.