Procedures

If surgical intervention is advised based on your medical history, Dr. Becker and his team will make a recommendation among the following options:

Patellofemoral Arthroplasty

Patellofemoral arthroplasty is typically considered for patients who have isolated arthritis or damage specifically in the patellofemoral compartment of the knee joint. This condition may cause pain and functional limitations, particularly when the kneecap moves against the femur during activities like bending or climbing stairs. Patellofemoral arthroplasty involves a 3-inch incision medial to the patella exposing the diseased articular cartilage which is removed. A stainless-steel component is milled into the distal femur. The patella is resurfaced with a high-density polyethylene component.

Minimally Invasive Total Knee Arthroplasty

Minimally invasive Total Knee Arthroplasty uses smaller incisions compared to traditional total knee replacement surgery. The incisions are typically 3 to 4 inches long, as opposed to 8 to 12 inches in traditional surgery. Once the incision is made, the diseased articular cartilage is removed with specially designed instruments.  The exposed bone is then template so the implant will fit your specific size of bone.

The patient specific implants are then cemented into position with the final results lasting 24 years.  This whole procedure is performed in a surgery center solely designed for orthopedic care and ranked among the best in Tennessee.

The care team at the Surgery Center has a 5-star rating and will have you walking an hour after the surgery.  You will attend outpatient therapy near your home the day after your surgery.

Advantages:

  • Less Tissue Trauma: Smaller incisions result in less disruption to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments around the knee joint, potentially leading to less postoperative pain and faster recovery.
  • Reduced Blood Loss: Minimally invasive techniques may result in lower blood loss during the surgery.
  • Shorter Hospital Stay: Patients undergoing minimally invasive TKA may have shorter hospital stays compared to traditional surgery.
  • Faster Recovery: Patients often experience quicker recovery times and earlier return to normal activities.

Unicondylar Arthroplasty (1/2 Total Knee, Most Minimally Invasive!)

If only one side of your knee is diseased, you might qualify for a 3-inch incision and less destruction to your God given tissue allowing for even a faster recovery of 2 weeks.  All 4 of your ligaments of the knee will remain untouched and only our diseased articular cartilage will be removed.  The implants will be templated to your exact bone size and cement into position. The care team will have you walking 1 hour after your surgery.

Benefits:

  • Preservation of Healthy Tissue: Since only the damaged part of the knee is replaced, healthy bone and tissue in the rest of the knee joint are preserved.
  • Smaller Incision: Minimally invasive techniques are used, resulting in potentially less postoperative pain, reduced blood loss, and faster recovery compared to total knee replacement.
  • Quicker Recovery: Patients may experience shorter hospital stays and faster rehabilitation compared to total knee replacement.
  • Less Trauma to the Knee: The procedure aims to minimize disruption to the knee joint's ligaments, tendons, and muscles, which can contribute to a quicker return to normal activities.