Knee

Knee Replacement and Partial Knee Replacement Surgery

Dr. Sobky utilizes minimally invasive techniques to perform replacement surgery. He believes in individualized treatment options to best treat your knee using proven and cutting edge technology.

Computer Navigation for Knee Replacement

Using computer navigation allows for as perfect alignment of the knee as possible. It is also less invasive than traditional approaches, resulting in less blood loss and less risk of bone marrow contents escaping into the blood stream, which can be problematic.

Cement Free – Press Fit Knee Replacement

The newest cutting edge trend in knee replacement technology is avoiding the use of bone cement or glue to fix the artificial knee to the bone. The most recent large group data shows that the most common cause for knee replacement failure is loosening of the implant especially in cemented knees. In appropriate patients with healthy bone, Dr. Sobky utilizes replacement implants that allow bone to grow and permanently bond to the implant without cement. This has a high chance of leading to even longer lasting replacements.

Partial or Uni Knee Replacement

Approximately 30% of people who are replacement candidates are great candidates for partial replacements. Dr. Sobky performs Medial Compartment (inside portion of the knee) and Patellofemoral (kneecap and the groove it sits in) Partial Replacement surgery. Partial replacements are a wonderful option for our more active patients that may be too young or too active for a full knee replacement. Large group studies actually show that partial replacement patients are more satisfied and have a higher level of function than total replacement patients. This is a less invasive surgery. In many cases only an overnight stay is indicated, and in some cases, this can be done as a day surgery. Of course not everyone is a candidate for partial replacement surgery.

Metal or Cement Allergic Replacement Surgery

As we perform more replacement surgery, we find that not everyone does well. One of the possible causes is an allergy to the metal implant or the cement and in rare cases, both. Dr. Sobky asks every patient extensive allergy questions. In many cases, he will refer a patient to National Jewish Hospital for formal allergy testing before surgery to ensure the highest chance of success. Approximately 20% of people may have an allergy to NICKEL, which is common in knee replacements. Dr. Sobky has solutions for metal allergy problems, cement allergy problems and even the rare combination of both.

Knee Arthroscopy/ Sports Surgery/ Reconstruction and Repair

Dr. Sobky offers the latest minimally invasive techniques combined with years of experience honing his skills to provide you with treatments for all of your surgically required knee injuries. The majority of these surgeries are day or outpatient surgeries.

ACL – anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and other knee ligament reconstruction

One of the most common knee injuries in Colorado is the dreaded ACL or anterior cruciate ligament tear of the knee. A forceful pivot of the knee or an injury in contact sports usually causes this damage. Dr. Sobky reconstructs the ACL arthroscopically (using a camera or scope). He is versatile in all of the various graft options: hamstring tendon, patellar tendon or cadaver. Other knee ligaments may be injured as well, requiring repair or reconstruction. This surgery is performed as a day surgery and does require extensive rehabilitation to return to the sports and activities that we love.

Meniscus Surgery

The meniscus is the padding spongy cartilage between the thighbone and shinbone. This frequently tears either due to injury or just degenerative wear and tear. Many times, this requires surgery to trim the tear and save the rest of the good meniscus. In cases of trauma, the tear may need to be sutured or repaired. Dr. Sobky performs a wide variety of meniscus surgery that may be required either due to sports injuries or symptomatic degenerative tears.

Cartilage Restoration Surgery

A “hot topic” in orthopedics is “How can we better restore damaged cartilage?” Cartilage is the smooth coating that covers the bone in a moving joint. Unfortunately, what we are born with is all we get in life. Our bodies are not well equipped to heal damaged cartilage or make new cartilage. If there is diffuse, global damage, replacement is the only answer. However, if there isolated defects exist, typically caused by sports injury, then cartilage transplant surgeries are options. Dr. Sobky believes in cartilage restoration surgery and performs several state of the art techniques including OATS procedures and ALLOGENIC Cartilage transplantation (Denovo or Biocartilage/Carticell).

Kneecap (Patella) Instability and Dislocation Surgery

Unfortunately some people are prone to instability or dislocation of the kneecap. This can cause severe pain and cartilage damage. There are several surgical options that Dr. Sobky offers to treat this difficult problem.