Oxford Knee Replacements Offer Patients a Partial Knee Replacement Option That R educes Pain and Recovery While

Increasing Mobili Doctors at Arizona Orthopaedic Associates at Gateway are now performing partial knee replacements using the only fully mobile knee replacement system available in the United States. Phoenix, AZ, January 28, 2013 -- Doctors at Arizona Orthopaedic Associates at Ga teway are now performing partial knee replacements using the only fully mobile k nee replacement system available in the United States. AOA surgeons have used the Oxford partial knee replacement for more than 300 sur geries and are encouraged by the results. Many times a patient suffering from knee pain does not need a total knee replacem ent, said AOA orthopedic surgeon David M. Ott, M.D. The Oxford Knee allows us to t reat the area affected in a minimally invasive way and have the patient back on their feet in no time. According to Ott, for many aging baby boomers, osteoarthritis will become their No. 1 concern. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and develops after years of joint motion and pressure. The cartilage that normally lubricates and protects a joint from bone on bone wear gradually disappears, leaving a pai nful condition that can result in joint replacement. Theodore Valdez spent 32 years as a firefighter with the Phoenix Fire Department . Over the course of a decade, he had both of his knees replaced. Valdez, a long time patient of Dr. Douglas Hartzler at AOA at Gateway, said he didnt think twice about choosing an Oxford Knee replacement the second time around. I knew there would be a positive difference just because of medical advances, he s aid. Now, it feels great not to feel my knee anymore. The constant pain disappear ed after the surgery. In a healthy knee, the cartilage acts like a shock absorber between the tibia (s hin bone), femur (thigh bone) and patella (knee cap). But in a knee that suffers from osteoarthritis, that cartilage is damaged or sometimes completely missing. For William Miller, 74, of Phoenix, 22 years of Marine Corps duty had rendered t he cartilage in his knees insufficient for normal walking. Miller had a total kn ee replacement on his left knee in 1999 to combat the problem and then an Oxford Knee replacement on his right knee two years ago. There was a night and day difference between the two surgeries, said Miller, an av id golfer. With the total knee replacement, the physical therapy went on forever whereas with the partial knee replacement, I was back to leg lifting 350 pounds in a week. The Oxford system works, according to Ott, because it only replaces one side of the knee, removing 75 percent less bone. It replaces the damaged or missing meni scus cartilage with a free-floating bearing that replicates the purpose of the m eniscus. The procedure is less painful, allows for a faster recovery and results in a more natural walking motion. We choose to perform the Oxford surgery because it leaves patients with a more na tural feel to their walking stride, Ott said. Sondra Stark, a Scottsdale resident who has had Oxford Knee replacements on both of her knees, agrees.

I couldnt have gone on the way I was, Stark said. Im an active lady. After these surg eries, Ill be active once again. The doctors at Arizona repair and replacement ly address the pain of icker than traditional Orthopaedic Associates are experts in the field of joint and have helped to pioneer several techniques that not on osteoarthritis but also have the patient up and moving qu procedures.

In addition to the Oxford Knee replacement, AOA also performs an anterior hip re placement surgery that helps patients walk the next day and recover from the pro cedure in weeks rather than months. For more information on Arizona Orthopaedic Associates at Gateway, please call ( 602) 631-3161 or visit www.aoa.md. Find out more about Arizona Orthopaedic Assoc iates on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aoaatgateway and Twitter at www.twitter.co m/aoaatgateway. About Arizona Orthopaedic Associates At Gateway: Arizona Orthopaedic Associates at Gateway strives to improve the quality of life of our patients and their families through outstanding orthopaedic care. Arizon a Orthopaedic Associates at Gateway is committed to excellence by pledging to pr ovide the highest quality of orthopedic care possible. Along with the treatment of immediate or chronic problems, top-rated and board-certified orthopedic surge ons strive to integrate the doctrine of prevention in all treatment plans as a w ay to alleviate possible future difficulties. Contact: Al Stevens Arizona Orthopaedic Associates at Gateway 690 N. Cofco Center Ct, Suite 290 Phoenix, AZ 85008 480-235-1770 al@stevenspr.com http://www.aoa.md