Minimally InvasiveTotal Knee Arthroplasty

Also known as a total knee replacement. Dr. Shah removes damaged cartilage from the femur & tibia with patient-specific instruments or customized molds and resurfaces the bone with size-specific implants through a muscle-sparing, minimally invasive incision.

Ritesh Shah, MD, FAAOS

Ritesh Shah, MD, FAAOSFellowship Trained Orthopedic Surgeon

Frequently
Asked Question:
Is Total Knee Arthroplasty Right For Me?

Does knee pain limit your activity?

Has severe knee pain or stiffness limited your everyday activities, including walking, climbing stairs, and getting in and out of chairs?  Walking more than a few blocks without significant pain may be hard, and sometimes it may even be necessary to use a cane or walker.

When is a total knee arthroplasty recommended?

Has there been a failure to substantially improve pain with other treatments such as anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections, lubricating injections, physical therapy, or other surgeries?

  • Moderate or severe knee pain while resting, either day or night
  • Chronic knee inflammation and swelling that does not improve with rest or medications
  • Knee deformity — a bowing in (Varus) or out of the knee (Valgus)
  • Instability of the knee causing the knee to give out
  • Relief from pain and disability caused by arthritis or previous injury
  • Increased range of motion and flexibility in your knee joint
  • Improved leg alignment and function
  • Overall improved quality of life

Total Knee Arthroplastyis performed to treat a variety of problems that cause knee pain such as:

The meniscus can tear from acute trauma or as the result of degenerative changes that happen over time. Tears are noted by how they look, as well as where the tear occurs in the meniscus. Common tears include bucket handle, flap, and radial.

Knee Osteoarthritis (OA) is an age-related “wear and tear” type of arthritis. It usually occurs in people 50 and older but may also occur in younger people. The cartilage that cushions the bones of the knee softens and wears away. The bones then rub against one another, causing knee pain and stiffness.

Patellofemoral arthritis affects the underside of the patella (kneecap) and the channel-like groove in the femur (thighbone) where the patella rests. It causes pain in the front of your knee and can make it difficult to kneel, squat, climb, and descend (go down) stairs.

Patellofemoral arthritis occurs when the articular cartilage along the trochlear groove and on the underside of the patella wears down and becomes inflamed.

When cartilage wears away, it becomes frayed and, when the wear is severe, the underlying bone may become exposed. Moving the bones along this rough surface may be painful.

Posttraumatic Arthritis of the knee can follow a serious knee injury. Fractures of the bones surrounding the knee or tears of the knee ligaments may damage the articular cartilage over time, causing knee pain and limiting knee function.

Schedule A Consultation

Are you experiencing knee pain or instability? Let's go over your treatment options today.

How Does It Work?

the r3 process

01.

Consultation &
Exam + Imaging

Dr. Shah is dedicated to providing you with a personalized experience. At your appointment, Dr. Shah will meet with you personally and:

  • Perform your evaluation
  • Review your imaging
  • Share insight into his findings
  • Discuss your options ranging from conservative care to joint reconstructive surgery.
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02.

Pre-Surgical
Team Meeting

Before undergoing surgery, you’ll meet with Dr. Shahs’ team to:

  • Clearly establish expectations
  • Review necessary paperwork
  • Discuss medical clearance with primary care
  • Review pre & post-operative medication lists
  • Obtain all prescriptions ahead of your surgery
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03.

Nutrition &
Physical Therapy

Our preoperative & post-surgical care plan is tailored to you for optimal success – enhanced nutrition helps ensure that your body is well prepared before the surgery, and a personalized physical therapy plan grants strength, balance, and confidence leading to surgery. We’re dedicated to ensuring you experience Rapid Recovery.

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Pre-Surgery MRIPatient Specific Instruments

Dr. Shah uses the latest MRI technology to 3D Print Patient Specific Instruments (PSI Guides) that are custom molded to fit only your femur and tibia. They are specifically designed to provide accurate alignment, sizing & implant placement.

“It’s one more tool to minimize tissue injury, accelerate recovery, and produce better long-term results,” –  Dr. Shah.

Total Knee ArthroplastySurgical Procedure

Estimated Surgical Time: 60-90 Minutes

  1. Dr. Shah makes a minimal incision over your knee joint.
  2. After the precise placement of the PSI Guides, the damaged cartilage is removed from the femur & tibia and replaced with metal components that recreate the joint’s surface.
  3. A polyethylene spacer is placed between the components to create a smooth, gliding surface that recreates the joint line and a more natural functioning & feeling knee.
  4. Once your procedure is complete, the incisions will be closed with stitches or skin adhesive strips and covered with a dressing.
  5. With advanced pain control processes, less invasive surgery, and current anesthesia practices, patients sleep comfortably during the procedure but walk within minutes of waking up from surgery.

Pre-Surgery MRI & Patient Specific Instruments

Dr. Shah uses the latest MRI technology to 3D Print Patient Specific Instruments (PSI Guides) that are custom molded to fit only your femur and tibia. They are specifically designed to provide accurate alignment, sizing & implant placement.

“It’s one more tool to minimize tissue injury, accelerate recovery, and produce better long-term results,” says Dr. Shah.

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Recovering FromTotal Knee Arthroplasty Surgery

  • Using advanced technology, minimally invasive surgery, minimal or no narcotic pain control, and contemporary anesthesia techniques. Most patients:
    • Walk 30-45 minutes after surgery
    • Climb stairs at 60-70 minutes,
    • Return home 90 to 120 minutes after surgery.
  • Our patients can resume light work after just a few days and regular activity, including some athletic activity, within 3-6 weeks. Patients will start physical therapy the same day or the following day. 
  • Our patients that travel from far-away states or countries will usually spend seven days in a hotel while performing physical therapy and then fly home.

Expected Outcomes

Most of our patient experience similar outcomes, but results may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions:About Total Knee Arthroplasty

Patients traveling from other states or countries will usually be able to travel home the same, or the next day depending on distance and assistance.  

This will depend on several variables, including your progress in rehab, the physical demands of your job, and whether or not your job offers reduced duty. The goal is to get you back to work as quickly as possible without risking your personal safety.

As long as needed until you feel stable.

As long as needed until you feel stable.

If you experience any of these symptoms, please call our office for further instructions. If it is after hours or on weekends, please call the on-call physician at (847) 375-3000.

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Schedule A Consultation

Are you experiencing knee pain or instability? Let's go over your treatment options today.

How to schedule yourpre-surgery mri or CT

Once you have chosen your surgery date, you can schedule your PRE-Surgery MRI with any of these three facilities:

When scheduling your image study, please confirm the type of image study designated on your prescription, as they both have different lead time requirements:

  • Microport MRI or CT Scan
    Images must be completed 16 days before surgery
  • Zimmer MRI or CT Scan
    Images must be completed 20 days before surgery

Once your image study has been scheduled, please contact our office to update the staff on your appointment date. 

If you cannot secure an appointment by the required date or your appointment has been rescheduled, please let us know as soon as possible.