Total Knee Replacement Specialist

Nathanael D. Heckmann, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon located in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, CA & La Canada, Glendale, CA

Total knee replacements are one of the most successful medical procedures in the United States. Nathanael Heckmann, MD, is a leading orthopedic surgeon with offices in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, and in Glendale, California, near La Cañada. He performs minimally invasive total knee and hip replacement surgeries using state-of-the-art robotic-assisted techniques. If you're ready to take control over your physical well-being, book a consultation today through the website or by calling the practice.

Total Knee Replacement Q&A

What is a total knee replacement?

Several bones make up the knee: the thigh bone, the shin bone, and the kneecap. Cartilage prevents these bones from rubbing together. If the cartilage has irreparable damage, the bones can scrape against each other and cause excruciating pain.

If you damage your knee beyond repair, total knee replacement is a surgery that replaces the knee joint with a prosthetic.

Dr. Heckmann has performed total knee replacement surgeries for many years. He assesses the condition of your knee and discusses your options with you.

Why would I need a total knee replacement?

Medical conditions often cause significant knee damage. Osteoarthritis is the most common reason for knee damage, but other conditions include:

Fractured knee joint
Bone tumor
Osteonecrosis
Rheumatoid arthritis

Dr. Heckmann takes a holistic approach to orthopedic care. He tries conservative treatments like pain medication before exploring surgical opportunities like minimally invasive total knee replacement.

What is minimally invasive total knee replacement surgery?

All knee replacement surgery involves a doctor removing tissue, cartilage, and bone from the surface of the knee. Minimally invasive total knee replacement covers a smaller area than traditional knee replacement because it uses a smaller incision. That means there’s significantly less damage to the tendons and ligaments.

Dr. Heckmann prefers this type of surgery because it results in less pain and a shorter recovery period for his patients. He aims to give you a pain-free knee that allows you to return to an active lifestyle.

What happens during minimally invasive total knee replacement?

Before your surgery begins, Dr. Heckmann places you under general or spinal anesthesia. He makes an incision to access your thigh bone and shin bone and removes the parts of the bones that comprise the knee joint. Then, he replaces these with metal components to create a new joint surface and layers of plastic to imitate the cartilage.

Dr. Heckmann uses robotic-assisted surgery to perform minimally invasive joint replacement surgery — both total knee replacement and total hip replacement. He restores quality of life to his patients and gives them back an active, pain-free life. Make an appointment today by calling the office or booking online.

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