Living with knee pain? Osteoarthritis and its newest treatment option

Jimmy Chow, M.D., a hip and knee specialist on the medical staff at St. Luke’s Medical Center and Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital, is the first orthopedic surgeon in the Southwest to perform an innovative new surgical procedure called MAKOplasty®. Dr. Chow explains this new option and how it may improve the quality of life of people living with knee pain from osteoarthritis. 

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Q. What is osteoarthritis?

A. Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis. It is a degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown and eventual loss of joint cartilage. Cartilage is a protein substance that serves as a cushion between the bones of a joint. With osteoarthritis, the top layer of cartilage breaks down and wears away, allowing bones under the cartilage to rub together.

Q. What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee?

A. Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee include:

Pain while standing or walking short distances, climbing up or down stairs, or getting in and out of chairs.

Pain with activity.

Pain or stiffness when activities are initiated from a sitting position.

Joint stiffness after getting out of bed.

Swelling in one or more areas of the knee.

A grating sensation or crunching feeling in the knee during use.

Q: What are the treatment options for osteoarthritis of the knee?

A: Until recently, the treatment options were limited. The gold standard treatment option has always been total knee replacement. However, total knee replacement is a highly invasive surgical procedure and is typically performed when the osteoarthritis has progressed to all three compartments of the knee. MAKOplasty, a partial knee resurfacing procedure, is a new treatment option for people with early- to mid-stage osteoarthritis of the knee that has not progressed to all three compartments. Powered by robotic arm technology, the potential benefits of this minimally invasive procedure over total knee replacement include: quicker recovery, shorter hospital stay and a more natural feeling knee. This can mean relief from pain and a quicker return to daily activities.

Q: How does the robotic arm technology work?

A: The robotic arm technology used to power the MAKOplasty technique features 3-D pre-surgical planning. A CT scan of the knee is performed prior to the procedure to help the surgeon create a plan for the surgery. During surgery, the system uses the CT scan as a guide and provides the surgeon with real-time visual, tactile and auditory feedback to facilitate optimal joint resurfacing and implant positioning. It is this optimal placement that can result in more natural knee motion following surgery.

Q: Who is a candidate for the MAKOplasty partial knee resurfacing procedure?

A: Typically, MAKOplasty patients share the following characteristics:

Knee pain with activity, usually on the inner knee and/or under the knee cap.

Start up knee pain or stiffness when activities are initiated from a sitting position.

Failure to respond to non-surgical treatments or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication.

 To learn more about options for treating knee pain caused by osteoarthritis, join Dr. Chow for a free informational seminar held at locations throughout the Valley. The next seminar will be held on Thursday, March 10 at Tempe Mission Palms in Tempe, Ariz. For more information or to register, call 1-877-351-WELL (9355) or visit stlukesmedcenter.com.
Jimmy Chow, M.D., is an orthopedic surgeon on the medical staff at St. Luke’s Medical Center and in practice with AZ Center for Bone & Joint Disorders.

This information is provided by St. Luke’s Medical Center as general information only and is not intended to replace the advice of a physician. Individual results may vary. There are risks associated with any surgical option. Your doctor can explain these risks and help determine the most appropriate treatments for you.

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