Dr. Marchwiany specializes in knee replacements, and this page contains information about the most common knee replacement procedures he performs. For general information about Murphy Wainer Orthopedic Specialists, including appointments, insurance and directions, please visit the Murphy Wainer Web Site at www.murphywainer.com.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that affects the joints of mostly older adults. It may cause the breakdown of bone and joint cartilage in the knees. Rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation and excess fluid in the knee, and can lead to pain and stiffness. Traumatic arthritis due to injury may cause damage to the cartilage of the knee. For someone who has severe arthritis or a severe knee injury, Dr. Marchwiany may recommend a knee replacement. The goal of knee replacement surgery is to relieve pain that cannot be controlled by other treatments by resurfacing or replacing the parts of the knee that have been damaged.

There are several kinds of replacement knee joints as well as different surgical methods. Dr. Marchwiany will help you to choose the best option for you, taking into account the condition of your knee and your general health. Total Knee Replacement Total knee replacement, also called knee arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure in which Dr. Marchwiany will resurface a knee damaged by disease or injury. The ends of the bones that form the knee joint are capped with metal and plastic parts, and the kneecap is often resurfaced or replaced. For someone who has severe arthritis or a severe knee injury Dr. Marchwiany may recommend a total knee replacement. The goal of knee replacement surgery is to relieve knee pain that cannot be controlled by other treatments by resurfacing the parts of the knee joint that have been damaged. Partial Knee Replacement If arthritis affects only one side of your knee you may be eligible for a partial knee replacement. Partial knee replacements can be done through a smaller incision than a total knee replacement. This minimally invasive technique can mean a quicker recovery time. Your knee needs to have strong, healthy ligaments for a partial knee replacement to be suitable. Sometimes Dr. Marchwiany will have to make that determination during the surgery. Even though partial knee replacement is minimally invasive, it is often a more complex operation than total knee replacement. Dr. Marchwiany will determine whether a partial knee replacement is your best option. Complex Knee Replacement In a case of severe arthritis, congenital deformities around the knee, or history of prior fracture or surgery causing a patient severe discomfort and major problems with their knee joint, Dr. Marchwiany may recommend a complex total knee replacement. During this surgical procedure, Dr. Marchwiany replaces the entire knee joint with a prosthetic, or artificial, knee joint usually made from plastic and metal. Complex primary knee replacement surgery is a more involved surgery than a total knee replacement, and may require a longer stemmed prosthetic that is fixed more deeply into the bones in the thigh and shin to increase stability. It may also involve surgically realigning your shin bone so that your knee is no longer bearing all of your weight. Dr. Marchwiany will assess your condition to determine if a complex primary knee replacement is recommended. Revision Knee Replacement Total knee replacement is one of the most successful surgical procedures, enabling people to live fuller, more active lives without chronic knee pain. If, over time, a knee replacement does fail, Dr. Marchwiany may recommend a revision total knee replacement. In this procedure, Dr. Marchwiany removes some or all of the original knee prosthesis and replaces the failing parts with new ones. The failure of orginal knee replacement parts can happen for a variety of reasons. Stress may cause the prosthetics used to become loosened, or younger patients may simply wear out the parts originally used to repair their knee. Revision knee replacement is a longer, more complex procedure than the original knee replacement, and requires careful planning, specialized implants and expertise to achieve a good result. Dr. Marchwiany will assess your condition and determine if a revision knee replacement is recommended.