Knee Replacement Surgery

Couple running

Total knee replacement or total knee arthroplasty is a surgery that replaces an arthritic knee joint with artificial metal or plastic replacement parts called the "prostheses."

If you suffer from pain and loss of function from arthritis and have failed results from other conservative methods of therapy, this procedure may be right for you.

At Silver Cross Hospital, orthopedic surgeons are performing partial, custom, and total knee replacement using minimally invasive techniques that include smaller incisions and less cutting around the tissue surrounding the knee.

Advantages include faster recovery, shorter hospital stays and less blood loss. Our goal is to get you back to enjoying life sooner.

Patients who choose to have their knee replacement surgery at Silver Cross benefit from our expertise. We have several orthopedic surgeons this specialty on the Silver Cross Medical Staff trained in knee replacement using both traditional and minimally invasive techniques. Some of these physicians have even been involved in the design and development of surgical implants giving them additional insight into determining the best solution for patients.

Pre-operative Educational Program

The free Joints Matter program offers extensive pre-operative education for the patient and their family to enhance faster healing and recovery. You will know exactly what to anticipate before and after the surgery, the daily expectations of rehabilitation therapy, and what you can do to recover more quickly.

Home Health Care

If you require additional assistance when you return home, our Silver Cross Home Health team will be there for you. Our experienced staff will even come out prior to your surgery to offer assistance in making sure everything is ready when you return home. It is just one of the reasons why we have been recognized as a HomeCare Elite Top Agency for many years.

Safe, Coordinated Care

Our highly skilled caregivers coordinate all your needs – inside and outside of the hospital. We work together to make sure you are receiving the safest, highest quality, personalized care. Because of this, we have been designated as a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement and have received an A Hospital Safety Score from the Leapfrog Group. Plus, our surgical patients consistently rank us in the top 2% in the nation for patient satisfaction according to Press Ganey.

The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab at Silver Cross

Exercise and Therapy are crucial to your recovery. Because of Silver Cross Hospital’s unique partnership with the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (formerly the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago), you will get an unmatched recovery experience close to home. The AbilityLab has been ranked as the #1 Rehabilitation Hospital every year since 1991 in U.S. News and World Report. The AbilityLab’s physical therapists will work with you the days following your surgery on Silver Cross’ surgical unit. Upon discharge, you can continue your therapy at one of our convenient outpatient locations.

Is Total Knee Replacement Surgery for You?

knee illustration

Total knee replacement surgery is considered when all other conservative measures have failed to provide successful intervention and may be performed for the following reasons:

1. To relieve pain
2. To improve joint stability
3. To improve alignment and correct bone deformity
4. To maximize quality of life
5. To optimize activities of daily living

Total knee replacement surgery is a common procedure performed on more than 600,000 people worldwide each year. With recent advancements in surgical technique and implant design, patients have experienced dramatic improvement in knee pain, function, and quality of life. Most patients can now expect their implants to last up to a decade or more, allowing for years of active, healthier, pain-free living. In fact, the success rate for knee replacements 10 years after surgery is 90-95%.

Of course, the decision to have knee replacement surgery should be a cooperative one made by you, your family, your primary care doctor, and your orthopedic surgeon. The process of making this decision typically begins with a referral by your primary care doctor to an orthopedic surgeon, on staff at Silver Cross Hospital for an initial evaluation.

Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery

The Midwest Institute for Robotic Surgery at Silver Cross Hospital is the only facility in the Will & Grundy Counties to offer Mako™ robotic-arm assisted surgery for:

Partial Knee Replacement
Total Knee Replacement
Total Hip Replacement

This new technology is designed for adults living with early to mid-stage osteoarthritis and helps provide more accurate placement and alignment of a patient’s implant.

Our highly skilled caregivers coordinate all your needs – inside and outside of the Hospital. We work together to make sure you are receiving the safest, highest quality, personalized care. Because of this, Silver Cross has been designated as a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement and has received an A Hospital Safety Score from the Leapfrog Group. Plus, our surgical patients consistently rank us in the top 5% in the nation for patient satisfaction according to Press Ganey.