Considering knee surgery? While it can seem daunting, new advancements in technology have transformed the way knee replacement surgeries are performed, yielding improved outcomes and faster recovery.
Nothing I see on an X-ray is going to automatically indicate that knee replacement surgery is right for a patient. Instead, the decision to undergo surgery is a collaborative one, with careful consideration for the patient’s level of their pain, its impact on their function, and whether they’ve tried such other remedies as weight loss, medications, injections, and physical therapy.
Better Get MAKO
Additionally, I see a lot of patients who think that a knee replacement means cutting out the whole area where the knee is and filling the space with a prosthetic. They can be surprised when I explain it’s more of a resurfacing procedure where the arthritic portion is precisely shaved off both bones and replaced with a metal cap, preserving healthy tissue and ligaments.
Incredible advances in knee surgery have increased the appeal of this procedure. A particular game-changer is MAKO Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery, which allows for improved precision both preoperatively and in real time.
Modern implants are integrated into the bone rather than being cemented in. They allow the bone to grow into the implant and form a solid bond without the need for cement, making for a more durable and long-lasting knee replacement.
Minimizing Meds
We have also made great advances in managing pain after surgery. The robotic-assisted surgery allows us to minimize blood loss during surgery, and exercise more pain control.
I am a proponent of a pain management protocol that combines various classes of medications, pain management techniques, and other palliative methods to target different pain pathways. The approach provides a synergistic effect, which means we can better control pain with lower doses of medications and, in some cases, eliminate narcotic medications altogether, which results in a much faster path to healing.
Our highly tailored regimen often gives patients the confidence to walk within hours of their surgery. Since we’re getting patients up and moving so quickly, we don’t need to prescribe strong blood thinners—merely taking a baby aspirin can often suffice.
As a result, most patients go home to recover—sometimes on the same day as the surgery. A return to “typical” activity can take four to six weeks, depending upon the patient’s adherence to a proper exercise and therapy plan.
Anyone considering knee replacement surgery should know that we have come a long way over the past 20 years. If you are having significant knee pain, see an orthopedic specialist to explore what options are right for you.
[White Plains Hospital]
Dr. Isaac Livshetz is a fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in joint replacement of the hip and knee, including complicated initial joint replacements as well as revision surgery. To schedule an appointment at the Center for Advanced Medicine & Surgery in White Plains or at the New Rochelle office, please call 914-946-1010.
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24 Aug 2025
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Considering knee surgery? While it can seem daunting, new advancements in technology have transformed the way knee replacement surgeries are performed, yielding improved outcomes and faster recovery.
Nothing I see on an X-ray is going to automatically indicate that knee replacement surgery is right for a patient. Instead, the decision to undergo surgery is a collaborative one, with careful consideration for the patient’s level of their pain, its impact on their function, and whether they’ve tried such other remedies as weight loss, medications, injections, and physical therapy.
Better Get MAKO
Additionally, I see a lot of patients who think that a knee replacement means cutting out the whole area where the knee is and filling the space with a prosthetic. They can be surprised when I explain it’s more of a resurfacing procedure where the arthritic portion is precisely shaved off both bones and replaced with a metal cap, preserving healthy tissue and ligaments.
Incredible advances in knee surgery have increased the appeal of this procedure. A particular game-changer is MAKO Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery, which allows for improved precision both preoperatively and in real time.
Modern implants are integrated into the bone rather than being cemented in. They allow the bone to grow into the implant and form a solid bond without the need for cement, making for a more durable and long-lasting knee replacement.
Minimizing Meds
We have also made great advances in managing pain after surgery. The robotic-assisted surgery allows us to minimize blood loss during surgery, and exercise more pain control.
I am a proponent of a pain management protocol that combines various classes of medications, pain management techniques, and other palliative methods to target different pain pathways. The approach provides a synergistic effect, which means we can better control pain with lower doses of medications and, in some cases, eliminate narcotic medications altogether, which results in a much faster path to healing.
Our highly tailored regimen often gives patients the confidence to walk within hours of their surgery. Since we’re getting patients up and moving so quickly, we don’t need to prescribe strong blood thinners—merely taking a baby aspirin can often suffice.
As a result, most patients go home to recover—sometimes on the same day as the surgery. A return to “typical” activity can take four to six weeks, depending upon the patient’s adherence to a proper exercise and therapy plan.
Anyone considering knee replacement surgery should know that we have come a long way over the past 20 years. If you are having significant knee pain, see an orthopedic specialist to explore what options are right for you.
[White Plains Hospital]