Overview
Knee replacement surgery in Fort Myers, FL at Gardner Orthopedics offers relief for severely damaged or arthritic knees. Knee replacement is a surgical procedure that resurfaces the damaged parts of the knee joint with artificial components. This page covers when knee replacement may be appropriate, the three main procedure types (total, partial, and revision), and what to expect from surgery and recovery.
Call us today at 239-277-7070 to schedule a consultation.
Knee replacement is a surgical procedure that resurfaces the damaged parts of the knee joint with artificial components. Most patients consider knee replacement because of advanced arthritis, especially osteoarthritis, or progressive cartilage loss that makes daily activities painful.
Before recommending an operation, our team works with you to explore every other option first. We believe surgery should only be considered after trying less invasive treatments first. If those initial steps aren’t helping alleviate your joint pain, you may be a candidate for one of the three main types of knee replacement: total, partial, or revision surgery.
The team at Gardner Orthopedics in Fort Myers is here to guide you through this process. We take the time to understand how your knee pain affects your daily life, rather than just looking at your X-rays. Together, we’ll identify the treatment approach that fits your condition and goals.
Is Knee Replacement Right for You?
Determining whether you need joint replacement surgery depends on how your symptoms impact your daily routine. You may be a candidate for surgery if you experience severe pain that disrupts your sleep or makes basic daily function difficult. Often, knee pain limits weight-bearing activities, such as walking, climbing stairs, or getting out of chairs.
Beyond pain, chronic stiffness or a reduced range of motion that fails to improve can also signal advanced joint deterioration. In more advanced cases, you might notice a visible deformity, such as leg bowing or severe instability.
Ultimately, the decision extends beyond your physical symptoms to your overall quality of life. If conservative treatments haven’t relieved your pain after months or years, it may be time to schedule a consultation. Imaging, such as X-rays, helps confirm the extent of joint damage and whether it matches your symptoms. Our team can help determine if surgery is the appropriate next step.
When Non-Surgical Options Should Still Be Tried First
At Gardner Orthopedics, we understand that many patients want to avoid an operation if possible. That is why surgery is never our starting point. We explore conservative care options first to help you manage pain and preserve your natural joint. You can read more about our patient-first approach on our About page.
Depending on your diagnosis, we often begin with a structured physical therapy program to strengthen the muscles supporting your knee. We may also recommend over-the-counter or prescription anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling and discomfort. If these initial steps fall short, targeted knee injections can often calm the pain and make movement much easier. These include corticosteroid injections to reduce joint inflammation, or viscosupplementation (hyaluronic acid) injections to add protective lubrication to the joint.
We also offer innovative regenerative medicine treatments, such as PRP, which may help support your body’s natural healing response in certain cases. Finally, utilizing bracing, assistive devices, weight management, and activity modification can reduce daily stress on your arthritic knees.
Types of Knee Replacement Procedures
If conservative treatments don’t control your symptoms, your surgeon will discuss the three categories of knee replacement covered here: total, partial, and revision. Each procedure addresses a pattern of joint damage or a different point in your treatment journey.
Our specialists use advanced imaging and a thorough clinical evaluation to determine which surgical approach best fits your unique joint condition. Read on to understand how these approaches differ and what they mean for your recovery.
Total Knee Replacement
Your knee has three main areas, or compartments: the inside (medial), the outside (lateral), and the area behind your kneecap (patellofemoral). When arthritis causes chronic pain, it usually affects more than just one of these spots. If your joint damage has spread across multiple compartments, you may be a candidate for a total knee replacement. Because arthritis naturally progresses throughout the entire joint over time, this is by far the most common approach, accounting for over 90% of knee replacement surgeries in the United States.
The phrase “total replacement” can sound intimidating, but it is more like a resurfacing procedure. While you are under anesthesia, your surgeon carefully removes the damaged cartilage and a thin layer of underlying bone. They then resurface the ends of your thighbone (femur) and shinbone (tibia), and often the underside of your kneecap (patella).
These worn-out surfaces are replaced with durable artificial parts made from metal, medical-grade plastic, and sometimes ceramic. To recreate smoother movement in the joint, a plastic spacer is inserted between the metal components. Once everything is securely positioned, your surgeon closes the incision, and you move on to recovery to begin healing.
It is natural to wonder how long this new joint will keep you moving. While your individual results will depend on your activity level, weight, and overall health, many modern implants last 15 to 20 years or more.
Partial (Unicompartmental) Knee Replacement
You may have heard about partial knee replacements and wonder if this less invasive option is right for you. Instead of replacing the whole joint, a partial knee replacement focuses on just one damaged area: most often the inside (medial) part of your knee. The rest of your healthy cartilage, bone, and supporting ligaments are preserved rather than replaced.
Because we preserve your natural knee tissue, patients often report that the joint feels a bit more natural after surgery. When appropriate, this approach also offers a smaller incision and an easier, quicker recovery compared to a total knee replacement.
However, a partial replacement isn’t inherently “better” than a total replacement; it depends on the condition of your joint. This approach is usually considered when arthritis is limited to one area of the knee. To determine whether partial replacement is a good fit, your surgeon will also look for strong, stable ligaments and a knee that isn’t significantly bowed or out of alignment.
Because arthritis usually spreads throughout the joint over time, only 10% or fewer patients meet the strict criteria for this procedure. For the vast majority of patients, a total knee replacement provides the most reliable, long-lasting relief.
Revision Knee Replacement
While most patients never need a second knee surgery, an implant can occasionally wear, loosen, or fail. When that happens, revision becomes an option. If you are experiencing issues with a prior joint replacement or wondering what happens if an implant eventually wears out, our team is equipped to handle revision knee replacements.
This procedure involves replacing a worn, loosened, or failed artificial joint. Common reasons for a revision include:
- General wear and tear
- Loosening components
- Prosthetic joint infection (which means infection involving the implant)
- Persistent instability
- A bone fracture around the implant (called a periprosthetic fracture)
Because your surgeon must carefully remove the original parts and address any compromised bone, a revision is technically much more complex than a first-time replacement. These procedures may also require specialized implants or techniques to address bone loss or structural changes from the original surgery. Relying on the specialized experience of the Gardner Orthopedics team is vital to navigating this demanding procedure and safely restoring your mobility.
What to Expect With Knee Replacement Surgery
Knowing what happens on surgery day can ease your anxiety. Before the procedure, your anesthesia team will ensure you are comfortable. You will receive either general anesthesia to put you completely to sleep, or spinal anesthesia, which numbs you from the waist down so you don’t feel pain during surgery. Your team may also use a regional nerve block to help manage pain after surgery.
The surgery typically takes one to two hours, depending on the approach and the patient. Afterward, you will rest in a recovery area. Depending on your overall health, your surgeon’s recommendation, and your readiness, you may go home that same day or stay one to two nights in the hospital.
We prioritize getting you safely back on your feet. In fact, most patients take their first steps using a walker or crutches the day of or the day after their operation. To support this early movement, our team focuses on managing your post-operative pain.
We use a combination of medications to keep you comfortable so you can confidently begin your physical therapy. To help prevent blood clots during this early phase, you may be prescribed blood thinners and advised to wear compression stockings or inflatable sleeves on your legs.
Preparing for Knee Replacement Surgery
Preparing for your knee replacement means completing a few steps before your surgery to make your return home easier. Here is your pre-op checklist:
- Complete your pre-op clearance: Your care team will schedule a physical exam and any required tests to ensure you’re healthy enough for surgery.
- Follow your medication instructions: Your team will tell you when to pause blood thinners or certain supplements before surgery.
- Prepare your home: Remove loose throw rugs to create clear walking paths, secure your stair handrails, and place a sturdy chair or bench in your shower.
- Arrange for help: Ask a loved one to assist with daily chores while you navigate on a walker or crutches during early recovery.
- Optimize your health: Stop smoking and manage your weight to speed up your body’s healing process.
- Start pre-habilitation: Practice gentle exercises now to strengthen your leg and get a head start on recovery.
Recovery After Knee Replacement
How long does recovery take? It depends on your age and overall health, but it helps to view healing as a steady, step-by-step journey.
During your first days after surgery, our priority is keeping your pain managed while you take your early steps using a walker or crutches. Physical therapy plays a central role throughout your entire recovery journey. In the first few weeks, you will focus on basic mobility and bending your new knee.
As you move into months one through three, you will work on building leg strength and safely tapering off your assistive devices. Between months three and six, most patients resume their normal household activities. Some swelling and stiffness can persist for several months, even as your strength and mobility continue to improve. Keep in mind that full recovery often takes up to a year.
Once your surgeon gives you the green light, you can return to low-impact activities. Whether you want to play a round of golf, enjoy pickleball, or take a scenic walk at Lakes Park in Fort Myers, staying active is encouraged.
Risks and Realistic Expectations
While knee replacement is a highly successful procedure, we believe in complete transparency so you can make an informed decision. Like any major surgery, it carries common risks, including infection, blood clots, joint stiffness, nerve irritation, potential issues with the artificial implant, and persistent pain despite surgery. At Gardner Orthopedics, our team carefully plans your procedure and provides rigorous follow-up care to minimize these risks.
When thinking about life after surgery, it helps to know what a successful outcome looks like. While an artificial joint won’t give you the knee you had in your 20s, it is effective at what it is designed to do. Most of our patients experience significant pain relief and find it much easier to move through their daily routines.
To protect your new knee, you will need to observe long-term activity limits. We strongly advise against high-impact activities like long-distance running, jumping, or contact sports. Protecting your joint helps ensure it serves you well for years to come.
Questions to Ask Before Surgery
A thorough consultation will naturally cover many of the questions patients have about knee replacement, including candidacy, the procedure itself, and recovery. Still, it can be helpful to think through a few questions ahead of time, such as:
- Which type of knee replacement — total, partial, or revision — is right for me?
- What does the recovery timeline realistically look like for my situation?
- When can I safely return to the hobbies or work activities I care about most?
- What are my surgical risks given my individual health profile and medical history?
- What happens if my symptoms do not fully resolve after the procedure?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is knee replacement surgery?
Knee replacement is a surgical procedure that resurfaces the damaged parts of the knee joint with artificial components. During the operation, your surgeon removes the damaged cartilage and bone causing your pain, replacing them with a smooth, durable prosthesis made of metal and plastic.
How do I know if I need a knee replacement?
You may need a knee replacement if you experience severe joint pain, stiffness, and swelling that make it hard to move and don’t improve after trying non-surgical treatments. A consultation involving a physical exam and imaging can help determine whether advanced joint deterioration is causing your symptoms.
How long do knee replacements typically last?
Modern knee replacements often last 15 to 20 years or longer, though longevity depends on your individual activity level, weight, and overall health. While modern implants are durable, high-impact activities or wear and tear can eventually loosen the joint, requiring a revision surgery.
Can I return to sports after knee replacement?
You can return to low-impact sports after a knee replacement, but you must avoid high-impact activities such as long-distance running or contact sports. Options like swimming, cycling, golf, and pickleball are generally safe and encouraged once your surgeon clears you.
How soon can I be seen for a knee evaluation in Fort Myers?
You can usually be seen for a knee evaluation in Fort Myers within a week of calling our office. Our team strives to provide prompt, accessible care so you can start finding relief from your joint pain as quickly as possible.
Schedule a Consultation at Gardner Orthopedics
Whether you’re early in your knee pain journey or actively considering surgery, our team is here to help you find the right next step.
Call our Fort Myers office at 239-277-7070 to schedule your evaluation.
Before your visit, please review our Patient Resources page to access intake forms and verify your insurance information.
