What this area covers
When arthritis has worn away the cartilage in a joint and non-surgical care no longer controls the pain, joint replacement can restore comfortable movement. Dr. Brash performs robotic-assisted partial and total knee replacement for patients in Queens and on Long Island, as well as hip and shoulder replacement.
Robotic assistance is a planning and positioning tool. It builds a model from the patient's own anatomy and helps the surgeon place the implant according to that plan. The surgeon performs the operation; the robotic arm does not operate on its own.
Typical non-surgical options
Replacement is rarely the first step. Exercise, physical therapy, bracing, anti-inflammatory medication and injections can manage arthritis for years, and joint-preserving surgery is considered first when it is a reasonable option.
Typical surgical options
Options include partial knee replacement when only one compartment is worn, total knee replacement, hip replacement, and anatomic or reverse shoulder replacement depending on the condition of the rotator cuff.
What recovery generally looks like
Most patients get up and walk with assistance the same day or the next day and begin working with a therapist immediately. Comfort with everyday activity generally improves over the first several weeks, and the full effect of the operation is usually judged at several months.
The information on this website is provided for general educational purposes only. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Call your physician or 911 for medical concerns.