New Techniques Improve Hip & Knee Replacement Surgeries

CBS New York—June 15, 2017

CBS New York featured a segment on the technological improvements of knee replacement surgeries with HSS chief of knee service Steven B. Haas, MD and his patient, Patricia Whitnah.

Mrs. Whitnah had her right knee replaced eight weeks ago, and she has already resumed her active lifestyle.

While not all knee replacement patients do as well as Mrs. Whitnah, Dr. Haas said it's not unusual for a patient to recover quickly after a minimally invasive knee replacement. This is due to technical developments that have dramatically improved the results in knee replacement surgeries.

"The implants are much better, the surgical techniques are much better — we do it through much smaller openings. The rehabilitation is better. We have newer medications that prevent blood loss and decrease pain, so that the operation is not nearly as painful as it used to be, and in fact the recovery is much faster than it used to be," Dr. Haas said.

Anchor Dr. Max Gomez said the key is to go to a surgeon and a hospital that is very high volume, and does lots of knees and joints.

Watch the full segment at newyork.cbslocal.com