Is knee pain keeping you from doing your favorite activities and living your life? Dealing with knee pain can be a frustrating experience, especially when the pain persists for a long time.
For patients with severe knee pain who have already tried non-surgical treatment, it may be time to consider another option like a knee replacement. If you want to get back to living your life without knee pain, consider a knee replacement.
Meet your Orthopedic Surgeon
Dr. James Macdonald is one of Maryland’s Top Orthopedic Surgeons. Patients come from all over Maryland, DC, Delaware, and Virginia to see him. He has performed over 8,000 procedures, and Pro-Publica’s “Surgeon Scorecard” identified him as one of the highest volume knee replacement surgeons in this region with a very low complication rate.
Dr. James is board-certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and is also a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
If you want to work with one of the best orthopedic surgeons in Maryland then schedule a consultation with Dr. James MacDonald.
Schedule a Consultation, or learn more about Dr. James MacDonald.
Is Knee Replacement Right For You?
Breaks, tears, and long-standing injuries can make everyday tasks challenging and prevent you from living life to the fullest. Knee replacement surgery is a life-changing option that can help improve your standard of living.
Surgery can be a scary option. Fortunately, joint replacement surgeries are one of the most common surgeries in the U.S. and with advancements over time knee replacement surgeries have become one of the most successfully performed surgeries in modern medicine.
If you’ve tried to manage knee pain non-surgically, have serious cartilage damage, are struggling with painful arthritis, or feel that your knee pain is keeping you from getting the most out of life. Knee replacement surgery may be your best option.
Your first step in understanding whether knee replacement is the best option for you is to schedule a consultation with our trusted office. We can help you understand the process and if you are a candidate for knee replacement or if there is a more appropriate treatment option for you.
Knee Pain Treatment Options
There are varying treatment options available for individuals who have been injured or are living with knee pain. Surgical and non-surgical options are available.
Non-surgical Treatment Options:
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Physical Therapy: If your knee does not require surgical treatment, we may recommend that you start physical therapy. Physical therapy helps to strengthen the muscles and improve mobility in the problem area.
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Medication: To help you feel more comfortable, we may prescribe appropriate medications to manage pain and inflammation
Knee Surgery:
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Total Knee Replacement: Dr. James MacDonald’s area of expertise! A total knee replacement sounds a lot scarier than it is– it is more like a knee resurfacing. During a knee replacement, the surgeon is replacing the surface of your bones in the knee, not the entire knee. To learn more about what the procedure entails and what to expect, check out this information.
Speak with a knee specialist to establish a proper diagnosis to discover the best option for your specific needs.
What to Expect With Knee Surgery
1. Diagnosis
The first step is for us to evaluate your knee so we can make a proper diagnosis. During this step, there are several ways we look at your knee starting with a physical examination. Depending on the case, we may also need to order imaging to get a better picture of your knee. This helps in accurately diagnosing any issues with your knee.
2. Surgery
Once a proper diagnosis is established, it is time to schedule your surgery. The surgery itself is a 1-2 hour operation. The surgeon will start by making an incision over the knee. From there they will remove any damaged bone or cartilage while leaving all the healthy bone intact. With the damaged parts removed, the surgeon will implant the replacement parts and ensure proper function. Once successfully implanted, the knee incision will be stitched up.
In most cases, you will get put to sleep with anesthesia before your surgery, however, in some cases you may receive local anesthesia which numbs part of the body but will not put you to sleep.
3. Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is just as important as the surgery itself! There are a few important things to do after surgery to both rehabilitate your knee and take care of yourself. Pain management is important in your recovery, and there are multiple ways to help reduce pain. After you have weaned off of the pain medication that the doctor prescribed, you can start taking over-the-counter pain medications like Tylenol. Ice can also be used for pain control and to decrease discomfort in the knee during recovery.
Physical therapy is another step in the rehabilitation process. The goal of physical therapy is to increase strength and regain mobility in your knee so that you can get back to your active lifestyle!
Want to know more about the process and what to expect? Read our Pre-operative Knee Guide which discusses everything you need to know leading up to, during, and after your procedure.
Our Locations
Give us a call and schedule your consultation with Dr. James MacDonald.
Dr. MacDonald
Annapolis Office
(2000 Medical Parkway, Suite 101, Annapolis, MD 21401)
Odenton Office
1106 Annapolis Rd, Suite #130, Odenton, Maryland 21113
Anne Arundel Medical Center
2001 Medical Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401
AAMC Surgery Center in Annapolis
(904 Commerce Road, Annapolis MD 21401)
Make an appointment with our team today!
