Understanding Knee Replacement: What You Need to Know

By: Dr. Zain Sayeed, DHR Health Orthopedic Surgeon
5540 Raphael Drive Edinburg, TX 78539
To schedule an appointment, call (956) 362-6683
To learn more about Orthopedic services at DHR Health, visit https://dhrhealth.com/services/orthopedics/

Knee pain is often caused by arthritis, a condition where the cartilage in the knee joint wears down over time, leading to discomfort and disability. Similar to the tread on a tire, cartilage wears out at different rates for everyone, and when it’s significantly damaged, surgery may be necessary. If non-surgical treatments are no longer effective, it might be time to consider knee replacement surgery.

Things to Know About Knee Replacement

1. Knee replacement is meant for people who experience pain most days of the week. Your arthritis may keep you up at night, and most patients dread stairs or getting in and out of cars.
2. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, knee replacement can reduce pain by 90%. However, you may still have some discomfort after surgery.
3. Almost all patients have some mild swelling in the knee forever.
4. Nearly all knee replacements have a clicking sound after surgery, permanently.
5. Most patients experience permanent numbness on the outside of the knee due to the surgical incision.
6. Maximum improvement is not reached until two years after surgery.

When considering knee replacement, ask your surgeon about their technique. In general, surgeons use the subvastus approach, which avoids cutting unnecessary tendons or ligaments, helping patients regain thigh strength sooner. I combine this tissue-sparing method with kinematic alignment to place the new knee exactly as it was before arthritis. I carefully remove just enough bone to match the implant’s thickness, ensuring precision down to the millimeter. This approach leads to better movement, faster recovery, and improved outcomes compared to traditional methods.

In addition to technique, ask your doctor how many knee replacements they perform yearly, if they are fellowship-trained in joint replacement, and if they will manage complications personally. Fellowship-trained specialists often achieve better outcomes. Knee replacement is a major, life-changing procedure, so carefully consider these factors when making your decision.

About Dr. Zain Sayeed

Dr. Zain Sayeed is a Harvard fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in advanced joint replacement and adult reconstruction. With expertise in state-of-the-art techniques such as robotic-assisted surgery, anterior hip replacement, and tourniquet-free knee replacement, Dr. Sayeed is committed to delivering personalized, innovative care to improve his patients’ quality of life.

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