Total Knee Replacement
Total knee replacement surgery replaces a damaged knee joint with artificial components made of metal and plastic. This procedure relieves pain and restores function in knees severely damaged by arthritis or injury. Modern knee replacements are highly successful, lasting 15-20 years or more for most patients. Surgery is recommended when conservative treatments no longer control pain and disability significantly impacts quality of life.
Table of Contents
Who This Is For
People with severe knee arthritis causing constant pain, significant limitation in daily activities, knee deformity, stiffness limiting motion, and inadequate relief from medications, injections, and physical therapy.
What to Expect
Pre-operative education and preparation. Surgery typically 1-2 hours under general or spinal anesthesia. Hospital stay 1-3 days. Immediate physical therapy starting day of surgery. Home therapy continues for weeks. Most daily activities resume within 3-6 weeks. Full recovery takes 3-6 months. Results: Significant pain relief and improved function for majority of patients.
Long-Term Outcomes
Modern knee replacements last 15-20 years for most patients. Success rates over 95%. Most patients achieve good pain relief and functional improvement. Activity modifications needed (avoid high-impact sports). Regular follow-up monitors implant performance.
Meet Our Care Team
Leighton Miller, FNP-BC, MSN
Orthopedics
“I grew up as a farm kid, so caring for things has always been a passion of mine. It was easy to transition that into caring for individuals.”
Leighton Miller has an extensive history in medicine. He spent five years as the Director of Nursing Services for Meade District Hospital and is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. He has provided care to patients from pediatrics to geriatrics and received his nursing degree from the University of Kansas School of Nursing. Leighton has served as a nurse in different family practice, ER, labor/delivery and acute care departments throughout his career.
“I thought about becoming a physician at first but I got to know a lot of nurses and that drove my passion into that field,” he said. “I got to know some nurse practitioners. That was a logical stepping stone and I haven’t regretted a single day.”
What would Leighton like his patients to know about him?
“I’m not a serious guy but I’m serious about healthcare. When it’s time to have fun, I have fun. When it’s time to get down to business, we take care of business. Doing so and enjoying life along the way is what’s important.”
