Enjoy Your Favorite Activities Again After Knee Replacement Surgery

If you're experiencing persistent knee pain, whether from an injury or conditions like arthritis, even simple daily tasks can become challenging. At Beaufort Memorial, we understand how frustrating it is when pain keeps you from what you need or love to do. While treatments such as injections and other medications or physical therapy may offer some relief, knee replacement surgery — also known as knee arthroplasty — can provide a long-term solution to help you regain mobility and alleviate pain. The board-certified orthopedic surgeons in our Advanced Orthopedics and Spine Program are dedicated to helping you return to the activities you love.

Our goal is to help you find life-changing relief and get back to life and your favorite activities. Beaufort Memorial is proud to have a skilled and dedicated orthopedic nursing and therapy staff and respected surgeons who offer advanced procedures to residents throughout the Lowcountry, including Beaufort, Bluffton, Port Royal, Okatie and Hilton Head Island.

Speak with our orthopedic care coordinator at 843-522-5485, or learn more about the board-certified orthopedic surgeons who specialize in knee replacement.

Understanding Knee Replacement Surgery

Knee replacement surgery involves replacing injured or worn knee joints with artificial parts made of materials like metal and plastic. At its core, this procedure aims to relieve severe knee pain and restore mobility, allowing you to move more freely and comfortably. Our orthopedic surgeons prefer minimally invasive surgical approaches, which are designed to expose less of the joint, spare healthy tissue, reduce your post-operative pain and speed up your recovery.

Types of Knee Replacement Surgery

There are two primary types of knee replacement surgery: partial and total. Your orthopedic surgeon will assess your unique condition to determine which option is best suited for you.

Partial Knee Replacement

When only a portion of your knee is affected by disease or damage, a partial knee replacement may be the ideal solution. This minimally invasive technique resurfaces only the damaged bone and cartilage, preserving more of your original knee joint.

Benefits of partial knee replacement include:

• Preserves healthy bone, cartilage and ligaments
• Requires a smaller incision and a smaller implant, leading to less soft tissue dissection
• Results in less pain after surgery
• Often allows for faster recovery and less time in the hospital
• Improves your range of motion after surgery
• Uses parts that provide high durability and low joint wear

A potential consideration with partial knee replacement is that healthy parts of the knee could become affected by disease later in life, potentially requiring a total joint replacement down the road.

Total Knee Replacement

If your entire knee joint is significantly damaged or diseased, a total knee replacement may be necessary. In this procedure, the entire joint is replaced with a state-of-the-art artificial implant.

Our orthopedic surgeons specialize in advanced procedures to ensure your new knee matches your unique anatomy, providing a natural feeling and long-lasting solution to your knee pain.

Advanced Technology of Personalized Knee Replacement

Beaufort Memorial offers leading-edge technologies to enhance the precision and customization of your knee replacement surgery:

• Mako SmartRobotics™ Technology — This advanced system uses a CT scan to create a 3D virtual model of your unique knee anatomy for a personalized surgical plan. Your surgeon uses this plan and the robotic arm to precisely remove diseased bone and cartilage and accurately place your implant. The Mako system also helps measure ligament tension and dynamically balance your joint for successful long-term outcomes, preserving healthy bone and ligaments.
• VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted System — This technology also uses 3D modeling for greater precision during your procedure. Rather than requiring a preoperative CT scan, the VELYS system uses real-time data integration for continuous adjustments during surgery.
• Persona Custom-Fit Knee and Patient-Specific Instrumentation — This system employs MRI technology and a computer program to build a 3D reconstruction of your joint, allowing your surgeon to create a personalized positioning guide. This approach can lead to a less invasive procedure and provides a custom-fit solution for you, contributing to a more natural feeling of movement and structural alignment.

Get your knee replacement questions answered at a Solving Hip and Knee Pain seminar and learn more about your options.

Preparing for Your Knee Replacement Journey and Beyond

The team approach to knee replacement at Beaufort Memorial helps you prepare for and recover from knee surgery as smoothly as possible.

Preparation begins with an educational class that helps you understand what to expect before, during and after your surgical procedure. You will also learn joint exercises to practice before surgery to aid in your recovery.

Throughout your journey, you will have the support of a dedicated bone and joint care team, which includes your surgeon, a joint care coordinator, specially trained nurses, physical therapists and even a “first mate” — your hand-picked support person — for additional help during your recovery.

Knee Replacement Recovery: Getting Back to What You Love

Recovery begins the same day your surgery is completed. You will start light physical activity as soon as you are able to move around safely and will participate in one-on-one physical therapy sessions.

After you return home, you will continue with therapy home visits and/or outpatient orthopedic rehabilitation for an average of six weeks. Our physical and occupational therapists will work closely with you to create a personalized plan to help you achieve your previous activity levels and beyond. You will be encouraged to keep moving, but you may need to avoid high-impact activities like jogging for a few weeks to several months, and your surgeon and physical therapist will guide you through this process.

Our biggest reward is seeing you get back to life without pain and helping you return to the activities you love.

Nationally Recognized Care You Can Trust

Choosing Beaufort Memorial for knee replacement means selecting a team dedicated to your recovery and well-being. Beaufort Memorial has earned the Gold Seal of Approval® from The Joint Commission for top-of-the-line care in joint replacement surgery since 2015. This prestigious certification highlights our commitment to meeting the highest national standards of care in joint replacement.

Furthermore, The Joint Commission has awarded our team an advanced disease-specific certification for hip and knee replacement, an achievement earned by only four other centers in South Carolina.

Beaufort Memorial has also received the designation of a Blue Distinction Center+ for knee and hip replacement from Blue Cross Blue Shield programs, further spotlighting the program as a center for excellence with these procedures.

These and other awards demonstrate our dedication to meeting the highest national standards of care. You can rest assured you’re in expert hands.

Ready to Find Relief from Knee Pain?

Our orthopedic knee specialists are ready to discuss your symptoms and explore how knee replacement surgery can help you regain confidence and embrace life.

Request an Appointment       Call Us 843-522-5485       Meet Our Team