Rheumatologic disorders often result in severe joint destruction, necessitating joint replacement.  Knee replacement is one of the most common orthopedic procedures.   However, it involves major surgery, which may be costly in terms of medical expenses as well as time away from the workplace.

We offer a second opinion to patients who are thinking about knee replacement surgery but would like a comprehensive evaluation from a non-surgeon. Also, many patients with pain due to osteoarthritis of the knee have been told they are not yet candidates for Knee replacement but no other therapeutic options have been offered to them to reduce their pain and maintain mobility in the meantime.   Allow us to assess whether you have received adequate therapy that could help you avoid knee replacement.  At the very least, we will discuss with you these non-invasive tools for avoiding knee replacement:

• Weight loss
• Exercise
• Physical therapy
• Medication
• Intra-articular injections
• Extra-articular injection therapy
• Cartilage regeneration/repair with platelet rich plasma (PRP) and/or stem cells
• Dietary supplements
• Complementary therapies such as acupuncture
• Knee Bracing and supports
• Orthotics and foot wear

While seeming like a “cookbook” of options, not all are applicable to every situation. Each patient requires a thoughtful evaluation and consideration of which one or more of the above may be best for them.