Established Arthritis


Many patients suffer for years with arthritis that limits even the simplest activities. For these patients, current restoration and preservation options do not apply. Fortunately, surgeons at The Joint Preservation Center have a wide range of methods to relieve pain and help restore function.

Osteotomy: When the bones do not align properly causing angular changes in the joint, (causing either knock knees or bow legs), joint forces are not evenly distributed and may overload one side causing pain and possibly degeneration. With an osteotomy (which means to cut the bone), the surgeon can cut either the femur or the tibia and realign those forces making them share the stresses. After healing, the bones are in a new position shifting the force and weight from the overloaded or damaged side to the more normal or underloaded side of the joint.
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	Unicompartmental Joint Replacement: This procedure completely replaces one half of the joint, either the medial or inner compartment or the lateral or outer compartment. The replacement is made of metal and plastic and can correct alignments as well as result in a pain free joint in selected patients. The remainder of the joint is left intact.
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Total Joint Replacement: If there is extensive damage throughout the joint that precludes the use of the above options and procedures, then all of the knee joint surfaces can be replaced with artificial components allowing most patients to return to pain-free activities. Knee joint with prosthesis in place.