Total Knee Replacement
Total Knee Replacement in Cary, Holly Springs & Morrisville, NC
If severe knee arthritis is making it difficult to walk, climb stairs, sleep comfortably, or enjoy your daily activities, total knee replacement may provide lasting pain relief and improved mobility. Dr. Demetri M. Economedes, a Hip & Knee Replacement Specialist, provides personalized evaluation and advanced knee replacement care for patients in Cary, Morrisville, Holly Springs, and surrounding communities in North Carolina.
Dr. Economedes evaluates the condition of your knee, your symptoms, activity level, and treatment goals to determine whether knee replacement is appropriate. When surgery is recommended, his approach focuses on restoring knee function, improving mobility, and helping patients return to the activities they enjoy.
Overview
The knee is made up of the femur (thighbone), the tibia (shinbone), and patella (kneecap). The meniscus, the soft cartilage between the femur and tibia, serves as a cushion and helps absorb shock during motion. Arthritis (inflammation of the joints), injury, or other diseases of the joint can damage this protective layer of cartilage, causing extreme pain and difficulty in performing daily activities. Your doctor may recommend surgery if non-surgical treatment options have failed to relieve the symptoms.
Total knee replacement, also called total knee arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure in which the worn out or damaged surfaces of the knee joint are removed and replaced with artificial parts.
Indications
Total knee replacement surgery is commonly indicated for severe osteoarthritis of the knee. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of knee arthritis in which the joint cartilage gradually wears away. It often affects older people.
In a normal joint, articular cartilage allows for smooth movement within the joint, whereas in an arthritic knee the cartilage itself becomes thinner or completely absent. In addition, the bones become thicker around the edges of the joint and may form bony spurs. All of these factors can cause pain and restricted range of motion in the joint.
Your doctor may advise total knee replacement if you have:
- Severe knee pain which limits your daily activities (such as walking, getting up from a chair, or climbing stairs).
- Moderate to severe pain that occurs during rest or awakens you at night.
- Chronic knee inflammation and swelling that is not relieved with rest or medications
- Failure to obtain pain relief from medications, injections, physical therapy, or other conservative treatments.
- A bow-legged knee deformity
Colorado Springs Orthopaedic Group
Dr. Economedes is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee replacement, adult joint reconstruction, and arthritis care. Fellowship trained in Adult Joint Reconstruction at Rush University Medical Center, he provides comprehensive treatment for joint pain and mobility issues. Dr. Economedes is committed to helping patients regain function and improve quality of life through personalized care and advanced surgical techniques.
Causes
The exact cause of osteoarthritis is not known, however, there are a number of factors that are commonly associated with the onset of arthritis and may include:
- Injury or trauma to the joint
- Fractures at the knee joint
- Increased body weight
- Repetitive overuse
- Joint infection
- Inflammation of the joint
- Connective tissue disorders
Diagnosis
Your doctor will diagnose osteoarthritis based on the medical history, physical examination, and X-rays.
X-rays typically show a narrowing of the joint space in the arthritic knee.
Procedure
The goal of total knee replacement surgery is to relieve pain and restore the alignment and function of your knee.
The surgery is performed under spinal or general anesthesia. Your surgeon will make an incision in the skin over the affected knee to expose the knee joint. Then the damaged portions of the femur bone are cut at appropriate angles using specialized jigs. The femoral component is attached to the end of the femur with or without bone cement. The surgeon then cuts or shaves the damaged area of the tibia (shinbone) and the cartilage. This removes the deformed part of the bone and any bony growths, as well as creates a smooth surface on which the implants can be attached. Next, the tibial component is secured to the end of the bone with bone cement or screws. Your surgeon will place a plastic piece called an articular surface between the implants to provide a smooth gliding surface for movement. This plastic insert will support the body’s weight and allow the femur to move over the tibia, similar to the original meniscus cartilage. The femur and the tibia with the new components are then put together to form the new knee joint. To make sure the patella (kneecap) glides smoothly over the new artificial knee, its rear surface is also prepared to receive a plastic component. With all the new components in place, the knee joint is tested through its range of motion. The entire joint is then irrigated and cleaned with a sterile solution. The incision is carefully closed, drains are inserted and a sterile dressing is placed over the incision.
Postoperative Care
Rehabilitation begins immediately following the surgery. A physical therapist will teach you specific exercises to strengthen your leg and restore knee movement. Knee immobilizers are used to stabilize the knee. You will be able to walk with crutches or a walker. Your physical therapist will also provide you with a home exercise program to strengthen thigh and calf muscles.
Risks and Complications
As with any major surgery, possible risks and complications associated with total knee replacement surgery include:
- Knee stiffness
- Infection
- Blood clots (deep vein thrombosis)
- Nerve and blood vessel damage
- Ligament injuries
- Patella (kneecap) dislocation
- Plastic liner wears out
- Loosening of the implant
If you find difficulty in performing simple activities such as walking or climbing stairs because of your severe arthritic knee pain, then total knee replacement may be an option for you. It is a safe and effective procedure to relieve pain, correct leg deformity, and help you resume your normal activities of daily living.
Why Choose Dr. Demetri Economedes for Total Knee Replacement in Cary, Holly Springs & Morrisville, NC?
Choosing a knee replacement specialist is an important decision. Dr. Demetri M. Economedes focuses on hip and knee replacement, providing specialized care for patients with advanced knee arthritis and other conditions that may require joint replacement.
Patients throughout Cary, Morrisville, Holly Springs, and the surrounding Raleigh-area communities can benefit from:
- Specialized expertise: A focused practice in hip and knee replacement and joint reconstruction.
- Individualized treatment planning: Each patient's symptoms, anatomy, lifestyle, and goals are considered when developing a treatment plan.
- Advanced surgical techniques: When appropriate, modern approaches and technology may be used to support precise knee replacement surgery.
- Comprehensive care: From the initial evaluation through surgery and rehabilitation, patients receive coordinated guidance throughout their treatment journey.
- Focus on mobility: Treatment is designed to relieve pain, improve knee function, and help patients safely return to everyday activities.
Total Knee Replacement FAQs
Total knee replacement may be considered when severe knee arthritis causes persistent pain and limits activities such as walking, climbing stairs, exercising, or sleeping, particularly when conservative treatments have not provided sufficient relief.
During total knee replacement, damaged surfaces of the femur, tibia, and, when appropriate, the patella are removed and replaced with artificial components. The new components are positioned to restore the alignment and movement of the knee.
Recovery varies from patient to patient. Physical therapy and exercises typically begin soon after surgery to restore strength and range of motion. Your surgeon will provide an individualized rehabilitation plan based on your progress and goals.
Yes. Rehabilitation is an important part of recovery following total knee replacement. Physical therapy helps improve knee motion, strengthen the muscles around the joint, and gradually restore mobility.
Modern knee replacements can provide many years of pain relief and function, although implant longevity varies based on factors such as activity level, weight, implant type, and individual patient factors.
Knee replacement is not appropriate for everyone. Dr. Economedes can evaluate your knee, review your symptoms and imaging, and discuss nonsurgical and surgical treatment options to determine the most appropriate approach for your condition.
You do not have to let severe knee pain prevent you from walking comfortably or participating in the activities you enjoy. Dr. Demetri M. Economedes provides specialized hip and knee replacement care for patients throughout Cary, Morrisville, Holly Springs, and surrounding North Carolina communities.
If knee arthritis is affecting your quality of life and conservative treatments are no longer providing adequate relief, schedule an evaluation to discuss whether total knee replacement may be appropriate for you.
Schedule a Consultation With Dr. Demetri Economedes
Take the next step toward understanding your treatment options and improving your knee function.
Contact Dr. Demetri Economedes to schedule a personalized knee replacement consultation in the Cary, Morrisville, or Holly Springs area.