Orthopedics

If you have been putting off treatment for a lingering or life-limiting knee injury, the highly-trained physicians at St. Luke's Orthopedic and Total Joint Center in St. Louis can help.

Many conditions causing knee pain may improve with non-surgical treatments such as exercise, physical therapy, knee sleeves and braces, topical ointments, injections and medications. When most other forms of treatment options have failed to relieve your pain and improve your mobility, you might want to consider total knee replacement surgery from the St. Luke's Orthopedic and Total Joint Center in St. Louis.

Total knee replacement surgery involves removing and replacing the diseased parts of the knee joint with new, artificial parts. The muscles, tendons and ligaments are left in place around the knee to provide stability for the new joint. An artificial joint is usually made of metal (usually cobalt-chrome or titanium) and/or plastic polyethylene. A new joint may be fixed to existing bone either using a special cement or by "press fitting" which allows existing bone to grow into the new surface, locking it into place.

We will discuss the best options of knee replacement based on several different factors, including the patient's age, weight, activity level and bone quality. Our team of knee experts also consists of rehabilitative therapists who work individually with you on a program that puts your life back on track.

Signs you may need a knee replacement include:

• Arthritis-induced knee pain that is not managed by pain relief medication
• Knee pain that keeps you awake at night
• Knee pain that prohibits you from working or playing comfortably
• The inability to walk or run more than a few blocks without pain
• Knee fractures

To learn more:
Weight Loss and Exercise Help Those Suffering from Knee Pain
Returning to work after knee replacement
Knee replacement can help improve quality of life
Knee Joint Replacement Series
Partial Knee Replacement
Partial Knee Replacement Series
Structure of the knee joint
Knee Pain
Less-invasive knee replacement surgery aids women
Women can ease effects of arthritis with proper exercise programs
Muscle Pain
Tendons and Muscles
Tendons vs. Ligament
Skeletal System

To connect with one of our knee replacement doctors in St. Louis, call our Physician Referral Service at 314-205-6060 or find an orthopedic doctor now.