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Knees
The physicians of the Illinois Bone & Joint Institute (IBJI) specialize in the treatment of injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. In addition to the physicians listed below, IBJI physicians practicing general orthopaedics and rheumatology also treat patients with knee-related problems; please refer to those listings on the left side of this page.
Knee Surgery
In terms of improvement of patients’ mobility and elimination of pain, few orthopaedic surgeries are more consistently successful than Total Knee Replacement (TKR). It is also one of the most frequently-performed surgeries: annually, half a million people undergo TKR as a treatment for degenerative and inflammatory knee conditions which cause significant pain, deformity and loss of function.
The basic design and function of TKR has not changed much over 30 years. However, new techniques are thought to speed recovery and improve surgical alignment of TKR. Two techniques that may do just that are Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) and Computer-Assisted Surgery (CAS) or navigation. Although not yet proven in medical studies, MIS advocates feel that this technique contributes to more rapid recovery after surgery. Surgeons using navigation feel that this improves their surgical precision and thus, ultimate alignment of TKR, which is one factor that is critical to longevity and success of TKR.
Medical studies on MIS do not conclusively show a benefit as a result of just the smaller incision, since other recovery strategies have been introduced at the same time. Two such strategies are more aggressive physical therapy begun more quickly post-surgery, and unique medications which allow patients to be “up and about” more quickly after surgery. [Many] IBJI surgeons utilize these more aggressive recovery protocols with good success and less pain with or without the minimally-invasive surgery.
Navigation does appear to improve the x-ray alignment of TKR, but it is too early to say whether that will translate into greater lifespan for TKR, which currently can be as long as 15-20 years in many people. Other factors certainly play a part in prosthesis longevity, including patient activity level and weight.
IBJI surgeons remain committed to the basic principles of TKR but have also embraced other new techniques and technologies when they may be beneficial to patients. Patients considering TKR can discuss with their physician the most appropriate clinical approach for them. Click on any of the physicians listed below for more information, including how to make an appointment.
Physicians by specialty  Knees |
Beigler, MD,
David
Chams, MD, Roger
N.
Cohen, MD, James
Chehab,
MD, Eric L.
Cohn, MD, Arnold
K.
D'Silva, MD,
Joseph L.
Forman, DO, Edward S.
Fox, Jr., MD,
James L.
Garelick, MD, David
Gleason, MD, Thomas F.
Goldstein,
MD, Wayne M.
Gordon, MD,
Alexander C.
Hamming,
MD, Bruce A.
Hill,
MD, MS, James M.
Jimenez, MD,
Matthew L.
Kornblatt,
MD, Ira B.
Kramer,
MD, Andrea S.
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Logue, MD, Edward J.
Ludkowski, MD, Phillip F.
McMillan, MD, Robert D.
Nemickas, MD, Tomas E
Palutsis, MD, Gregory R.
Pavlatos,
MD, Christ J.
Portland,
MD, Gregory
Raab,
MD, David J.
Robb, III, MD,
William J.
Sherman, MD, Richard S.
Silver, MD,
Ronald L.
Stamos, MD, Van P.
Summerville,
MD, Bruce C.
Thadani, MD,
Peter J.
Waxman, MD,
Bryan C.
Westin, MD,
Craig |
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Click here for more information on the Knee from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons |
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This text was updated on February 12, 2008.
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