Knee Replacement 

Knee pain can feel incredibly uncomfortable, and your difficulty moving can get in the way of living your life to the fullest. If your knee pain has not subsided after medications or other treatments, the experienced orthopedic knee surgeons at Hilton Head Regional Healthcare can perform total knee replacement surgery or total knee arthroplasty.

Robotic-Assisted Knee Replacement Surgery in the Lowcountry

Many types of knee pain go away on their own or with rest and medication. If knee pain stops you from walking your dog to the park or arthritis makes it a chore to get up from bed in the morning, it may be time to consider knee replacement surgery.

Let's help you get back in motion at Hilton Head Regional Healthcare. Our network of experienced orthopedic knee surgeons [DdrMp1] and staff are ready to provide compassionate care to help you get back on your feet. We offer a wide range of surgical and non-surgical orthopedic treatments, including robotic-assisted knee replacement surgery or knee arthroplasty when medications and conventional treatment options do not give you pain relief.

Whether you need a partial knee replacement[DdrMp2] , total knee arthroplasty or a cast for a broken knee joint, we have the experience and equipment to help you feel better again. 

Is your knee pain keeping you from doing the things you love? Fill out our orthopedic physician referral form or call 833-341-0488, and we'll connect you to our dedicated staff to provide helpful information about our doctors and assist you in making an appointment.

What Is Knee Replacement?

The knee consists of bone, cartilage, ligaments and fluid. It is the largest joint in the body, which allows the leg to bend and provides stability to support the body's weight. Severe damage to the knees may make it hard to perform simple activities, such as walking, turning or climbing stairs. You may even begin to feel pain while sitting or lying down.

When conservative treatments, such as medications, pain management options and walking aids no longer eliminate or alleviate your knee pain, your orthopedic knee surgeon may consider knee replacement surgery. 

Knee replacement surgery is a safe and effective procedure that replaces the damaged parts of your knee joint with new, artificial parts. Knee replacement surgery aims to relieve pain, correct leg deformity and help you move better.    

Arthritis is the most common condition that causes knee pain and disability. The three types of arthritis that cause knee pain are:

  • Osteoarthritis - age-related wear and tear type of arthritis that usually affects people 50 years old and above. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions the bones of the knee softens and wears away, causing the bones to rub against one another resulting in knee pain and stiffness.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis – is a type of arthritis that occurs when the synovial membrane surrounding the joint becomes inflamed and thickened, which eventually causes cartilage loss, pain and stiffness.
  • Post-traumatic arthritis – is a type of arthritis that occurs following a severe knee injury that causes fractures in the bones surrounding the knee or tears in the knee ligaments, causing knee pain and limiting knee function over time.

Let's discuss if you're a candidate for knee replacement surgery. Take this free online health assessment and begin your journey to feeling better.

What to Expect After Knee Replacement Surgery?

The actual surgical procedure usually takes one to two hours. You will either stay in your hospital room for one to three days after surgery to recover or go home the same day, depending on your condition.

You will feel pain after surgery, a natural part of the healing process. Your doctor may likely prescribe medications for short-term pain relief after surgery and medications to prevent blood clots and decrease leg swelling. Most patients are encouraged to exercise their knee hours after surgery with the supervision of a physical therapist. 

How Long Does It Take to Recover From Knee Replacement?

The success of your recovery after knee replacement surgery depends on how well you follow your orthopedic knee surgeon's instructions at home. Exercise is critical to improving knee movement. Below are some knee replacement recovery tips after surgery:

  • Perform regular light exercises to maintain proper strength and mobility of your new knee.
  • Avoid falls and injuries. You may require more surgery if you break a bone in your leg.
  • Inform your dentist about your knee replacement before undergoing dental procedures requiring antibiotics.
  • Consult your orthopedic knee surgeon periodically for routine follow-up examinations and X-rays.

It is normal to experience temporary pain at the surgery site because the surrounding muscles are weak from inactivity, and the body is adjusting to the new joint while the tissues are healing. This pain should resolve in a few months.

How Long Does a Knee Replacement Last?

Modern total knee replacements can still function 15 years after the surgery. However, its performance and lifespan may be affected by wear and tear caused by a lifetime of movement. Younger patients may need knee revision surgery at some point during their lifetime. It is important to note that joint replacement's effects differ from person to person.

You may have heard that you should delay knee replacement surgery for as long as possible. The truth is that recommendations for surgery depend on a patient's pain and disability, not age. Learn the five myths about knee surgery here.

Why Choose Hilton Head Regional Healthcare for Your Knee Replacement Surgery?

Most people will experience some form of knee pain sometimes, but some knee pain may require lifelong pain management, rehabilitation therapy or knee replacement surgery. When it's time to consider surgery, you can count on Hilton Head Regional Healthcare to help you navigate your knee joint care journey every step of the way. We will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan, including making timely appointments and referring you to additional doctors, if necessary. 

Our passion is caring for you and your loved ones in this great community. We have provided quality healthcare to the people of Hilton Head Island, Okatie and Hardeeville for decades, which means we treat our patients like family. The experienced orthopedic care team at Hilton Head Regional Healthcare works with a specialized team of physicians and staff to determine the best treatment options for various bone and joint health problems.

Hilton Head Regional Healthcare offers:

Insurances Accepted and Payment Plan Options

Putting your health first requires making important healthcare decisions. At Hilton Head Regional Healthcare, we provide all the information you need upfront, including financial obligations, to help you access quality and compassionate care when you need it the most. We can help you make payment arrangements that fit your budget through our estimated out-of-pocket prices and procedures for your peace of mind. Visit our payment portal and learn about available payment options in our facility near you.

When you're missing out on important life events because of your knee pain, we offer flexible payment plans to help you and your family pay for your hospital visit. Our payment plans are available for most treatments and procedures, including knee procedures. Please call 833-850-5053 or watch this video to get more details about our payment plan options.

If you've been putting off treatment or have an upcoming procedure, we accept various insurance plans to help make it easier for you to get safe and quality care. Check out our list of participating insurance plan providers or call 843-689-8212. For questions about your coverage, please contact your insurance provider directly.

For more about our insurance, billing, payment plans, pricing information and estimates, visit our patient financial resources page.

Find an Orthopedic Knee Surgeon in the Lowcountry

Let's help you get back to the things you enjoy with less knee pain. If you're looking for treatment options for chronic knee pain, now is a good time to speak with an orthopedic knee surgeon at Hilton Head Regional Healthcare.

Make health your top priority. See us for a complimentary consultation to help get you started with your knee joint care journey. We have some of the latest technology and procedures combined with an experienced orthopedic care team to map out a treatment plan that works best for your needs. Let's get in touch and find ways to help you relive the days before the chronic knee pain. Please call 833-383-3744 or find an orthopedic knee surgeon here.

Sources:
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
American Society of Anesthesiologists
MedlinePlus
Harvard Health Publishing

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