Knee Replacement

Knee replacement can help reduce chronic pain, improve function, and increase your range of motion. If your knee has been damaged by conditions like advanced arthritis, severe fractures, or traumatic injury, replacing the knee joint can provide relief.

Location: 1301 W 12th Ave, Suite 105, Emporia, KS, Entrance B

Phone: (620) 343-2376

Fax: (620) 342-0095

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8am–12pm and 1pm–4:30pm

Joint Replacement Basics Booklet

What is knee replacement surgery?

Knee replacement surgery, also called knee arthroplasty, involves replacing all or part of the knee joint with an artificial joint (prosthesis). During the procedure, damaged cartilage and bone are removed and replaced with man-made components designed to restore function and relieve pain. Depending on your needs, the prosthesis may include a metal piece for the lower end of the thigh bone (femur), a combination of metal and durable plastic for the upper end of the shin bone (tibia), and a strong plastic piece for the back of the kneecap (patella). Most artificial knees combine metal and plastic parts, though some may use metal on metal, ceramic on ceramic, or ceramic on plastic for long-lasting results.

The surgery is generally done in the following way:

After you receive anesthesia, your surgeon will make a cut over your knee to open it up. This cut is often 8 to 10 inches long.
The surgeon moves your kneecap (patella) out of the way, then cuts the ends of your thigh bone and shin (lower leg) bone to fit the replacement part.
The underside of your kneecap is cut to prepare it for the new pieces that will be attached there.
The two parts of the prosthesis are fastened to your bones. One part will be attached to the end of your thigh bone and the other part will be attached to your shin bone. The pieces can be attached using bone cement or screws.
The underside of your kneecap is attached using a special bone cement.
The surgeon repairs your muscles and tendons around the new joint and close the surgical cut.

Why is the procedure performed?

The most common reason to have a knee joint replaced is to relieve severe arthritis pain. Your doctor may recommend knee joint replacement if:

You are having pain from knee arthritis that keeps you from sleeping or doing normal activities.
You cannot walk and take care of yourself.
Your knee pain has not improved with other treatment.
You understand what surgery and recovery will be like.

Most of the time, knee joint replacement is done in people age 60 and older. Younger people who have a knee joint replaced may put extra stress on the artificial knee and cause it to wear out early and not last as long.

What to expect before, during, and after knee surgery?

Before surgery

Always tell your health care provider what drugs you are taking, even medicine, supplements, or herbs you bought without a prescription.

During the 2 weeks before your surgery:

Prepare your home.
You may be asked to stop taking medicines that make it harder for your blood to clot. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve), blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin), and other medicines.
You may also need to stop taking medicine that can make you more likely to get an infection. This includes methotrexate, Enbrel, and other medicines that suppress your immune system.
Ask your provider which medicines you should still take on the day of your surgery.
If you have diabetes, heart disease, or other medical conditions, your surgeon will ask you to see the provider who treats you for these conditions.
Tell your provider if you have been drinking a lot of alcohol, more than 1 or 2 drinks a day.
If you smoke, you need to stop. Ask your provider or nurse for help. Smoking will slow down wound and bone healing. It has been shown that smokers have worse outcomes after surgery.
Always let your provider know about any cold, flu, fever, herpes breakout, or other illness you have before your surgery.
You may want to visit a physical therapist to learn some exercises to do before surgery and to practice using crutches or a walker.
Set up your home to make everyday tasks easier.
Ask your provider to see whether you need to go to a nursing home or rehabilitation facility after surgery. If you do, you should check out these places ahead of time and note your preference.

Practice using a cane, walker, crutches, or wheelchair correctly to:

Get in and out of the shower
Go up and down stairs
Sit down to use the toilet and stand up after using the toilet
Use the shower chair

On the day of your elbow surgery

After the procedure

You will stay in the hospital for 1 to 2 days. During that time, you will recover from your anesthesia and from the surgery itself. You will be asked to start moving and walking as soon as the first day after surgery.

Some people need to work with a rehabilitation provider after surgery. Newman Regional Health provides both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services. During rehab, you will learn how to safely do your daily activities on your own. Home health services are also available.

Outlook

The results of a total knee replacement are often excellent. The operation relieves pain for most people. Most people do not need help walking after they fully recover.

Most artificial knee joints last 10 to 15 years. Some last as long as 20 years before they loosen and need to be replaced again. Total knee replacements can be replaced again if they get loose or wear out. However, in most cases, the results are not as good as the first time. It is important not to have the surgery too early so you will need another surgery at a young age or have it too late when you will not benefit the most. After surgery, you should have periodic check up with your surgeons to make sure the parts of your artificial joint are in good position and condition.

Partial and total knee replacement with the Mako Robotic-Assisted Surgical System

The orthopedic surgeons at Newman Regional Health utilize Mako robotic-arm assistance to enhance the precision of knee surgery. Before the procedure, a CT scan creates a 3D model of your knee so the surgeon can plan exact implant placement and alignment. During surgery, the robotic arm helps the surgeon remove damaged bone and cartilage while protecting soft tissues.

Patients generally experience less pain, better function, and quicker recovery compared to traditional knee replacement — in part because the procedure is more accurate and causes less trauma to surrounding tissues.

Choose an option:

Choose an option:

Knee Replacement

What is knee replacement surgery?

Why is the procedure performed?

What to expect before, during, and after knee surgery?

Partial and total knee replacement with the Mako Robotic-Assisted Surgical System

Services to support your recovery

Rehabilitation Therapy

Newman Medical Equipment

Pain Management

Meet the Providers

Lindsay Baldwin, PA-C

Matt Buhrle, DC, LAT, ATC

Justin Clark, LAT, ATC

James Huston, MD

Neal Lintecum, MD

Patrick “Cole” McGregor, MD

Dylan Sinclair, PA-C

Helena Stormont, APRN-C

Douglass E. Stull, MD

Jordan T. Willis, MD

Patient Resources

Pricing Resources

Notice to Patients