Knee Replacement Surgery in Baton Rouge, LA

Your knees are so essential to your mobility, so severe knee pain can hinder your ability to do even basic activities like walking, bending, or climbing stairs. Though more conservative, nonsurgical treatments are available to help with knee pain, they may not provide sufficient enough pain relief for some patients. Total knee replacement surgery can be a very effective solution for patients with severe knee pain that has not improved with nonsurgical treatments.

Dr. Kevin Riché uses Conformis custom-fitted knee implants for knee replacement surgery, which allows for more accurate placement and a better fit for the implant. Patients often seek out surgeons who work with Conformis knee implants, and Dr. Riché is among the few surgeons in in the state of Louisiana offering this technology.

When is Knee Replacement Surgery Recommended?

Arthritis can wear down the cartilage that lines the knee. This cartilage damage can eventually progress to the point that the bones begin to rub together, which can cause significant pain and stiffness when moving the knee. Though nonsurgical treatments can help to manage symptoms, they cannot reverse arthritis damage, and patients may seek knee replacement surgery for more long-lasting pain relief.

Candidates for knee replacement surgery typically meet all or most of the following criteria:

Knee pain and/or stiffness limits everyday activities like walking or bending the knee.
Knee pain is present even while at rest.
Symptoms do not improve with nonsurgical treatment.
The knee has become deformed due to wear, which may lead to misalignment.

An examination will be necessary to determine whether a patient is a candidate for knee replacement surgery. Dr. Riché will only recommend knee replacement surgery when necessary.

Total Knee Replacement Procedure

During a total knee replacement procedure, Dr. Riché will remove damaged cartilage and bone in the knee joint, replacing the joint with implants designed to improve knee function and alignment.

Dr. Riché uses the Conformis knee for knee replacements whenever possible because it allows him to custom-fit the implant to the patient. Prior to surgery, Dr. Riché orders a CT scan of the knee, which is then used to create a custom knee implant that will best fit the patient’s anatomy and realignment needs. It will take approximately 6 weeks for the custom implant to be made.

When it is time for your knee replacement procedure, Dr. Riché will remove bone and cartilage from the knee to place the implants. This is typically done under spinal anesthesia. These cuts are precisely calculated prior to surgery to create a perfect fit for the new implant, so that the knee is aligned properly. On average, the procedure takes about 1.5 hours.

Recovering from Knee Replacement Surgery

Some knee replacement patients are able to go home the day of surgery, while others will require an overnight hospital stay. Patients typically begin walking the afternoon after the surgery.

Patients will participate in outpatient physical therapy for at least 6 weeks. The goal of physical therapy is to strengthen the knee and improve range of motion. On average, full recovery takes about 3 months. Dr. Riché will advise when it is safe to resume normal activities and if you have any restrictions, as this varies with every patient.

The goal of Conformis custom-fit implants is to provide the best implant fit possible, which allows for better knee function and patient satisfaction. By fitting the knee implant to your own unique anatomy, Dr. Riché hopes to provide better results in the long-term.

Patients should also be aware that the knee implant may set off metal detectors when going through airport security. Dr. Riché’s office no longer gives out medical ID cards for knee implants, simply because TSA no longer accepts them. If your knee implant does set off the metal detector, you may be pulled aside for additional screening.