Conditions

The knee joint is the largest, most complex and most stressed joint in the human body.

Many knee problems are a result of continuous wear and tear on joints as we get older. Some are the result of an injury or a sudden movement. Specific conditions that cause knee pain include:

• Arthritis (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, septic arthritis and post-traumatic arthritis)
• Torn meniscus (Your meniscus is one of two pieces of cartilage in your knee between your shin and thighbone.)
• Abnormal formation or alignment of the knee

You want your life back and our team wants to give it to you. The goals of treatment for knee pain are to reduce joint pain, stiffness and strain, and to improve joint function and movement.

Treatments

Treatment may include:

• Heat and cold therapy
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Splints and other assistive devices
• Weight control/maintenance
• Medication including anti-inflammatory medications
• Joint aspiration to remove fluid build-up
• Steroid injections to reduce pain and swelling
• Surgery to repair or replace all or part of a severely damaged knee joint

If your knee is stiff and swollen even at rest, and your medication or physical therapy isn’t working well enough, ask your doctor about knee replacement surgery. Sometimes only a portion of the knee is involved. If this is your situation, we may recommend a partial knee replacement.

Diagnostic Tools

The best diagnostic tools lead to the best treatment.

Ochsner is one of the first hospitals in Southeast Louisiana to perform knee replacement surgery with the Mako Robotic Arm Interactive Orthopedic System. With Mako, Ochsner surgeons can place the artificial joint in the optimal position with 97 to 99% accuracy.

Learn more about Mako Robotic-Arm: Knee and Hip Replacement.

Knee Surgery

Why you should consider knee surgery.

The first knee replacement surgery was performed in 1968 – almost 50 years ago. With vastly improved surgical techniques, better anesthesia and higher quality materials, knee replacements are safer, less painful and more effective than ever before. The surgery offers increased mobility with less pain and with that comes a better quality of life. Studies show that 90% of people who have the surgery say they have less pain. What’s more, approximately 85% of artificial knees still work after 20 years.

Joint Boot Camp

Prior to your total joint replacement, you will attend a Total Joint Replacement Class. This class is a 2-hour seminar taught by a Physical Therapist, an Occupational Therapist, a Nurse and a Social Worker to instruct patients and their families on the expectations for Total Joint Replacement. This is designed to introduce you to all the people who will be active in your care.

Topics covered include:

• Total Hip Replacement Education
• Total Knee Replacement Education
• Family Training
• Self-Care Education
• Nursing Care
• Pain Management
• Discharge Planning
• PT/OT Therapy & Wellness
• Home Health

Referring Physicians

Patient referrals, transfers and consults are critically important.

We make it easy for you. To obtain copies of patient records, schedule clinic appointments, and to share your preference for receiving post visit follow-up from your patient's appointment, call the Clinic Concierge, our dedicated physician referral line, at 504-842-7436 or 1-855-312-4190.