What is a Total Knee Replacement

A total knee replacement is a surgical procedure whereby the diseased knee joint is replaced with artificial material. The knee is a hinge joint which provides motion at the point where the thigh meets the lower leg. The thigh bone (or femur) abuts the large bone of the lower leg (tibia) at the knee joint. During a total knee replacement, the end of the femur bone is removed and replaced with a metal shell. The end of the lower leg bone (tibia) is also removed and replaced with a channeled plastic piece with a metal stem. Depending on the condition of the kneecap portion of the knee joint, a plastic “button” may also be added under the kneecap surface.… Read the Rest

CMS proposes major initiative for joint replacements

July 9, 2015

Model supports quality and care improvements for patient???s transition from surgery to recovery

Hip and knee replacements are some of the most common surgeries that Medicare beneficiaries receive. In 2013, there were more than 400,000 inpatient primary procedures, costing more than $7 billion for hospitalization alone. While some incentives exist for hospitals to avoid post-surgery complications that can result in pain, readmissions to the hospital, or protracted rehabilitative care, the quality and cost of care for these hip and knee replacement surgeries still vary greatly among providers.

For instance, the rate of complications like infections or implant failures after surgery can be more than three times higher at some facilities than others, increasing the chances that the patient may be readmitted to the hospital. And, the average Medicare expenditure for surgery, hospitalization, and recovery ranges from $16,500 to $33,000 across geographic areas.… Read the Rest

Experience Key to Good Outcome

Updated 7/10/2015

READ COMPLETE STUDY

A new study funded by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases suggests a positive relationship between surgeons and hospitals performing a high volume of total knee replacements (TKR) and the outcomes for these interventions. The study found that patients of surgeons who perform 50 or more TKRs per year had a lower incidence of morbidity and postoperative complications than those whose doctors do 12 or less. Also, hospitals with 200 or more TKRs per year demonstrated similar positive outcomes in contrast to facilities that do less than 25 procedures per year.… Read the Rest

First Cementless Knee Replacement at CentraState

Freehold, NJ, January 24, 2008 –(PR.com)– Late in 2007, Dr Michael Greller and Dr Alan Nasar, orthopedic surgeons from the Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute in Freehold, New Jersey, performed a fully cementless, minimally invasive total knee replacement using trabecular metal technology. It was a ???first??? in the history of CentraState Medical Center, Freehold, New Jersey.

On Tuesday, November 20th, Drs Greller and Nasar operated at the CentraState Medical Center in a procedure that did not have to allow the waiting time for cement to set and harden. The cartilage in the patient???s knee had been eroded after osteoarthritis, trauma and job related wear and tear attributed to the damage. Joint pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of mobility are symptoms experienced by about 450,000 Americans who seek surgical treatment each year.… Read the Rest

Limb lengthening common TKR

April 2008

SAN FRANCISCO – Patients typically experience an increase in limb length after undergoing total knee arthroplasty, according to a study presented here…

…Jason E. Lang, MD, and colleagues investigated changes in limb length occurring after TKA performed in 102 knees of 98 patients…

…Overall, 82 of the 102 knees (80.4%) experienced an increase in limb length after surgery, including 77% of the varus group and 86% of the valgus group…… Read the Rest

Hybrids Implants for Knee Repair

SAN FRANCISCO – March 6, 2008 – When it is time to replace a knee, a hybrid implant appears to have better longevity than conventional, totally cemented versions, according to a report at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) 75th Annual Meeting.

“Reducing revision rate is a key goal as we go to younger, more active patients [who need knee replacement],” said Mark Zawadsky, MD, Chief of Arthroplasty Service, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, California, but “cementless knee implants have a lower cumulative survival rate,” according to new data presented here March 5.… Read the Rest