What are common symptoms that may indicate I need knee replacement?

Common warning signs include persistent knee pain during daily activities, stiffness that limits your range of motion, and swelling that doesn't improve with rest. Other symptoms to watch for include knee pain at rest or at night that disrupts sleep, knee deformity such as bowing or a knock-knee appearance, grinding or crepitus with movement, inability to climb stairs comfortably, and failure to improve with injections, medications, or physical therapy.

What conditions typically lead to knee replacement?

The most common reason for knee replacement is osteoarthritis — the gradual wearing away of cartilage that leads to painful bone-on-bone contact. Other conditions include rheumatoid arthritis of the knee, post-traumatic arthritis following a fracture or prior knee injury, avascular necrosis of the knee, unicompartmental arthritis confined to one area of the joint, severe cartilage loss that no longer responds to conservative care, and a failed prior knee replacement requiring revision surgery.

What are my knee replacement treatment options?

Your surgeon will recommend the approach that best matches the extent of your arthritis and your activity goals. For most patients the choice is between total knee replacement and partial (unicompartmental) replacement. Additional options include ROSA robotic-assisted knee replacement for sub-millimeter implant precision, revision total knee replacement for a failed prior surgery, minimally invasive techniques to reduce tissue disruption and speed recovery, custom implant sizing and alignment tailored to your anatomy, and post-operative physical therapy and rehabilitation.

What is the recovery timeline after knee replacement?

Day of surgery: Walking with assistance from a physical therapist. 1 to 2 weeks: Home exercises and physical therapy begin. 4 to 6 weeks: Driving typically resumes; most patients return to light daily activities. 6 to 12 weeks: Continued physical therapy to restore strength and range of motion. 6 to 12 months: Full recovery for most patients; return to low-impact activities.

Total Knee Replacement in Maryland | Precision Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

Understanding Total Knee Replacement

Total knee replacement (total knee arthroplasty) is a surgical procedure that removes damaged cartilage and bone from the knee joint and replaces them with metal and plastic components. The procedure resurfaces the ends of the femur (thighbone), tibia (shinbone), and the underside of the kneecap. At Precision Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, our fellowship-trained surgeons serving Maryland and the DC Metro Area use ROSA robotic-assisted technology for enhanced precision in implant placement, alignment, and ligament balancing. Learn more about our full range of joint replacement services.

ROSA Robotic-Assisted Knee Replacement

FDA-cleared robotic platform by Zimmer Biomet — used for total and partial knee replacement

Step 1

Pre-Operative Planning

Your surgeon creates a patient-specific 3D model of your knee using advanced imaging, planning every bone cut and implant position before surgery begins.

Step 2

Real-Time Guidance

During surgery, ROSA tracks your anatomy in real time and guides the surgeon’s instruments to execute precise bone cuts for optimal implant fit.

Step 3

Precision Alignment

ROSA helps achieve ideal component positioning, ligament balance, and leg alignment — critical factors for a knee that feels natural and lasts decades.

Outcome

Faster, More Confident Recovery

Robotic precision leads to more consistent outcomes, reduced risk of complications, and can support a quicker return to the activities you enjoy.

The surgeon is always in control. ROSA acts as a highly intelligent surgical tool — it does not operate autonomously. Every decision and movement is directed by your Precision Orthopedics surgeon, with the robot providing precision guidance that enhances human skill.

Flexible Options

Self-Pay Total Knee Replacement Package

We offer a transparent, all-inclusive self-pay package for total knee replacement. The package includes your Precision surgeon's fee, the surgical facility fee, the anesthesia fee, the cost of the implant, ROSA robot fee (if applicable), and initial post-op visits in our clinic and physical therapy offices. These cases are performed at Charles Regional Surgical Center. This facility is an outpatient surgical facility and your surgeon will evaluate if your surgical case is appropriate for outpatient.

The package price is $25,000, with that amount due at the time of scheduling.

Frequently Asked Questions About Knee Replacement

Answers to common questions about total knee replacement surgery and recovery.

Common warning signs include persistent knee pain during daily activities, stiffness that limits your range of motion, and swelling that doesn’t improve with rest. Other symptoms to watch for include:

Knee pain at rest or at night that disrupts sleep
Knee deformity such as bowing or a knock-knee appearance
Grinding or crepitus (a crunching sensation) with movement
Inability to climb stairs comfortably or get in and out of a chair
Failure to improve with injections, medications, or physical therapy

The most common reason for knee replacement is osteoarthritis — the gradual wearing away of cartilage that leads to painful bone-on-bone contact. Other conditions that may require knee replacement include:

Rheumatoid arthritis of the knee
Post-traumatic arthritis following a fracture or prior knee injury
Avascular necrosis (osteonecrosis) of the knee
Unicompartmental (partial) arthritis confined to one area of the joint
Severe cartilage loss that no longer responds to conservative care
A failed prior knee replacement requiring revision surgery

Your surgeon will recommend the approach that best matches the extent of your arthritis and your activity goals. For most patients the choice is between total knee replacement and partial (unicompartmental) replacement. Additional options include:

ROSA robotic-assisted knee replacement for sub-millimeter implant precision
Revision total knee replacement for a failed prior surgery
Minimally invasive techniques to reduce tissue disruption and speed recovery
Custom implant sizing and alignment tailored to your anatomy
Post-operative physical therapy and rehabilitation to restore strength and motion

Modern total knee replacements typically last 20 to 25 years or more. Implant longevity depends on activity level, body weight, and implant design.

Total knee replacement resurfaces all three compartments of the knee. Partial (unicompartmental) knee replacement only replaces the damaged compartment, preserving healthy bone and ligaments. Your surgeon will recommend the best option based on the extent of your arthritis.

Day of surgery: Walking with assistance from a physical therapist
1 to 2 weeks: Home exercises and physical therapy begin
4 to 6 weeks: Driving typically resumes; most patients return to light daily activities
6 to 12 weeks: Continued physical therapy to restore strength and range of motion
6 to 12 months: Full recovery for most patients; return to low-impact activities

ROSA is an FDA-cleared robotic platform by Zimmer Biomet that helps the surgeon plan and execute knee replacement with sub-millimeter precision. The surgeon remains in full control while the system provides real-time guidance for bone cuts and implant positioning.

Yes. Physical therapy is a critical part of recovery after knee replacement. It helps restore range of motion, rebuild strength, and ensure the best possible outcome. Most patients attend therapy for 6 to 12 weeks after surgery.

Total Knee Replacement in Maryland & the DC Metro Area