Frederick F. Buechel, Jr., M.D. | Orthopaedic Surgeon | (239) 659-5633 (KNEE)
MAKOplasty® Destination Center
Frederick F. Buechel, Jr., M.D. | MAKOplasty International Destination Center | 239-659-5633 (KNEE)
Physicians Regional Medical Center, 6101 Pine Ridge Road, Second Floor, Naples, FL 34119
2012 (C) by Robotic Joint Replacement Center
MAKOplasty® International
Destination & Training Center of Excellence
Home | About Us | Contact Us | Info/Forms | Services | MAKOplasty | Blog | Videos | Testimonials
Total Knee Replacement
For patients with more involved knee arthritis that do not meet the criteria for
partial knee resurfacing which would include having large fixed angular
deformities, inflammatory arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis, obesity, or have
generalized global knee pain not just in one compartment, Total Knee
replacement may be the best option.
People that lose the smooth cushiony articular cartilage on the ends of their
knee bones from wear and tear, injury, genetics, inflammatory diseases, or
osteonecrosis can end up with knee pain, swelling, loss of motion, deformity,
and a reduction in activity.
Pain commonly occurs with weight bearing activity including walking, stair
climbing, getting in an out of cars, sitting or standing, playing golf or
tennis, or even rolling over in bed. When people are no longer
responsive to oral NSAIDS or have failed to get relief from weight loss,
exercise, or intra-articular steroid or hyaluronic acid injections, or have
failed partial knee replacement, total knee replacement may be a
solution.
Patients get X-rays with 4 views of the knee to look for joint space loss
or bone spur formation in multiple compartments from osteoarthritis,
osteo-necrosis, inflammatory arthritis, post traumatic arthritis or prior
menisectomy from a tear.
For Total Knee requiring patients, Dr. Buechel Jr. continues to use the
worlds leading mobile bearing total knee replacement system the “LCS”
Low Contact Stress Mobile Bearing Knee System that now has over 30
years of clinical use showing over 98% survivorship at 20 years
published, and was developed by Dr. Buechel Sr. MD.
The main surgeon controlled variable in the proper function and longevity of total knee replacement is proper
installation alignment and ligament balancing. The surgeon can improve on the longevity and “feel” of the implant by
performing proper intra-operative steps and checks to ensure the initial implant position & alignment as well as
ligament balance in flexion and extension is optimal.
Biologic causes for short and medium term failure still are possible but occur in less than 2% of patients and include;
infection, implant loosening, arthro-fibrosis, osteolysis, ligament inflammation, chronic tendonitis, chronic pain
syndromes, and aquired or congenital ligamentous laxity conditions.
Patients can return to work and low impact activity in 4-8 weeks but full recovery for a total knee replacement takes
12-18 months.
Final knee range of motion is most predictive by a patient’s preoperative range of motion and takes 3-6 months for
most patients to return to these preop levels.
Patients can return to most activities with a total knee replacement but jogging or running as a sport is not
recommended.
Frederick F. Buechel, Jr., M.D. | MAKOplasty® International Destination Center | 239-659-5633 (KNEE)
Physicians Regional Medical Center, 6101 Pine Ridge Road, Second Floor, Naples, FL 34119
2012 © by Robotic Joint Replacement Center
Frederick F. Buechel, Jr., M.D.
Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon
MAKOplasty® Robotic Knee Resurfacing
& Total Knee Replacement Specialist
(239) 659-5633 (KNEE)
LCS Mobile Bearing Knee
>98 % Success Rate at 20+ Years
Front and Side Views of a
Total Knee Replacement