Knee Replacement Medically reviewed by Thomas D. Ferro, M.D. in Lancaster, OH"

A well-placed knee implant can last for decades. When researchers combined national joint registry data in the largest analysis of its kind, roughly 82% of total knee replacements and 70% of partial knee replacements were still functioning 25 years after surgery.[5] Positioning the implant correctly is one of the factors that supports that kind of longevity.

Because position and balance are among the factors a surgical team controls that influence how long a knee replacement lasts.[2] NanoKnee concentrates on those factors, combining precise 3D modeling and engineering with FDA-cleared implants to create a plan that places and aligns your implant to your anatomy.

You may qualify if you've been told you need a knee replacement and you want to heal at home, remain active, and have your implant planned around your own anatomy. NanoKnee was developed for active patients aiming for the highest level of function after surgery, from younger adults to older patients in good health. Your surgeon makes the final call at your consultation after reviewing your imaging, health, history and goals.

Yes. It's one of the most frequently performed and carefully studied operations in the United States, and the American Joint Replacement Registry has logged more than 4.4 million hip and knee replacements since 2012.[6] Serious complications are uncommon, and some risks can be reduced by choices made before surgery. One of those choices is anesthesia. A national analysis of more than 380,000 joint replacements associated spinal (neuraxial) anesthesia with lower 30-day mortality and fewer in-hospital complications compared with general anesthesia.[7] NanoKnee procedures are performed under spinal anesthesia with sedation by board-certified orthopedic surgeons.

The usual method aligns every knee to the same neutral target, but many adults naturally have knees that aren't in “neutral” mechanical alignment.[10] NanoKnee instead uses restricted inverse kinematic alignment (iKA), which restores your natural tibial joint line and alignment within safe limits. In a matched series, iKA patients reported higher satisfaction and better Oxford Knee Scores at one year than patients aligned to an adjusted mechanical target.[11] Your plan is created from your CT scan before surgery and reviewed by your surgeon.

If your arthritis is limited to one or two areas, yes. NanoKnee surgeons perform partial (unicompartmental) and bicompartmental knee replacements, which resurface only the damaged one-third or two-thirds of the joint and spare your ligaments and healthy bone. In a randomized trial of 528 patients with arthritis confined to the inner compartment, partial knee replacement achieved equivalent improvement with fewer complications.[12][13] Your NanoKnee surgeon will walk you through the best option for your anatomy and knee condition.

Yes. For arthritis in a single compartment, a Nano partial knee replacement is the least invasive option because it removes the least bone and preserves your ligaments.[12] In total knee replacement, the plan and the approach matter more than incision length. Our advanced 3D modeling allows NanoKnee surgeons to use a quadriceps-sparing approach for suitable candidates, reaching the joint without cutting the quadriceps tendon, an approach randomized trials show reduces pain in the first days after surgery.[8]

NanoKnee procedures use spinal (regional) anesthesia, a local anesthetic block and “twilight” sedation, so you're comfortable and unaware during surgery without general anesthesia. Spinal anesthesia was associated with lower 30-day mortality and fewer complications than general anesthesia in a national analysis of more than 380,000 joint replacements.[7] General anesthesia remains available for the occasional patient for whom it's safer.

No. NanoKnee is outpatient surgery, and most patients go home from the surgery center about two hours afterward. In a meta-analysis of 20 studies, appropriately selected outpatients had complication and readmission rates comparable to inpatients.[9] Your surgeon will confirm in advance that same-day discharge fits your situation.

Most NanoKnee procedures take around 90 minutes. Since the size, position and alignment of your implant have already been decided in your 3D plan, your surgeon makes fewer decisions under time pressure during the operation.

Most NanoKnee patients walk within 90 minutes of surgery and handle light activity in the first week. A realistic outline:

• 7–14 days: routine tasks and self-care
• 2–4 weeks: moderate activity
• 4–8 weeks: a return to an active lifestyle

Most NanoKnee patients don't. They recover with a surgeon-guided home exercise program, beginning with walking, isometrics and stretching right away and advancing to strengthening, biking, and activities like golf and hiking. You can log your progress and message your care team through the NanoKnee app.

Most NanoKnee patients return to the sports they love, such as golf, tennis, cycling, hiking, running and skiing.

Most NanoKnee patients regain the motion they need for daily life and sports, and many recover range they had lost to years of arthritis. Your 3D plan balances your ligaments through the full range of motion to support a knee that straightens and bends fully. Across 720 NanoKnee patients in our recovery-unit records, the median knee flexion right after surgery was 125°, and half of patients measured between 120° and 134°.

Incisions usually heal within two weeks, though the area should be protected for the first two to three months. Every NanoKnee procedure includes a cosmetic, plastic-surgical closure intended to minimize the appearance of your scar.

Knee replacement risks include infection, blood clots, stiffness, instability, implant loosening over time, and the risks of anesthesia. NanoKnee's surgical processes and proprietary 3D Blueprinting® address specific concerns: spinal anesthesia is associated with fewer perioperative complications than general anesthesia, [7] and pre-operative 3D planning targets the position and balance issues that are among the leading causes of early revision.[1] Your NanoKnee surgeon will discuss which risks apply to you.

Yes. Some numbness near the incision and occasional clicking are common and usually nothing to worry about. Overall, most patients experience a steady return of function and relief from arthritis pain over the months after surgery, and your surgeon will follow your progress and address anything unexpected.

Knee replacement is covered by Medicare and most commercial health plans when medically necessary, and NanoKnee surgery is billed as a knee replacement. The part to plan for is the pre-operative 3D planning and engineering, which insurance doesn't cover and which may cost up to $8,500 depending on your plan. Our patient navigators will confirm your coverage and costs before you commit, and financing is available for the non-covered portion.

There's no single right age. Knee replacement is routinely performed for older adults with advanced arthritis and can greatly improve mobility and quality of life, while younger, active patients may also be candidates. Your general health matters more than your age, and every NanoKnee patient is evaluated before surgery. NanoKnee's standard spinal anesthesia is associated with fewer perioperative complications than general anesthesia.[7]

Neither. Your surgeon performs the procedure, and no robot is used in the operating room. AI only assists during planning, helping our biomedical engineers convert your CT scan into a 3D model that your surgeon reviews and approves. NanoKnee's precision comes from that pre-operative work, not operating room technology.