Knee Replacement

An irreparably damaged knee can make walking, standing, and even sitting unbearable. At his orthopedic clinic in Munster, Indiana, Nikhil Pandhi, D.O., M.P.H., performs arthroscopic and robot-assisted knee replacement procedures to relieve pain and improve mobility. Call the office or book an appointment online today to find out if you’re a candidate for knee replacement.

What is knee replacement?

The knee is a complex joint responsible for many weight-bearing movements. Injury, overuse, and obesity put pressure on the knee, leaving it vulnerable to pain. Knee replacement surgery replaces damaged components of the knee with synthetic materials. 

The knee is where the femur (thighbone) and the tibia (shinbone) meet. The cartilage between the two bones cushions and protects the knee, while the patella (kneecap) allows it to extend. Various muscles, tendons, and ligaments support and provide movement for the joint.

While nonsurgical solutions, such as corticosteroid injections and physical therapy, can help relieve knee pain, total replacement is often the only option to restore the joint’s full function.

Why might I need a knee replacement?

Knee replacement is rarely the first course of action for patients. Dr. Pandhi may recommend surgery if you’ve tried nonsurgical interventions, including:

• Physical therapy
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Joint injections
• Weight loss
• Assistive devices
• Activity modification

While these treatments may help minimize pain, they aren’t always enough to repair damage and restore function to your knee.

What conditions can a knee replacement treat?

Many conditions may qualify you for a knee replacement, including:

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Osteoarthritis occurs when the soft cartilage around the knee joint breaks apart, causing the femur and tibia to rub together.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid arthritis causes the synovial lining inside the knee joint to swell, limiting movement and range of motion.

Fractures

Fractures are breaks in the knee bones. While most fractures heal over time, they can leave scar tissue, causing joint inflammation.

Meniscus tear

The meniscus is rubbery cartilage shaped like a “C.” It protects the femur and tibia. Sudden weight shifts can tear or damage the meniscus.

What happens during a knee replacement?

Dr. Pandhi performs knee replacement as an outpatient procedure. After administering an anesthetic and sedative, he makes small incisions in your knee to insert surgical instruments and an arthroscope — a thin tube with a camera — to view your knee’s entire structure.

With the Mako SmartRobotics™ system, Dr. Pandhi can perform your procedure with robotic assistance. The Mako system uses computed tomography (CT) imaging to build a 3D model of your knee before the procedure, allowing Dr. Pandhi to plan the entire surgery. A robotic arm also gives him expert precision and stability during surgery.

Call Nikhil Pandhi, D.O., M.P.H., today or book an appointment online to learn more about knee replacement surgery.