Frequently Asked Questions

“Being in the medical field, I knew what to expect. But the most surprising thing to me was a few hours after surgery I was walking! I had a walker, but I didn’t need it. I felt like I had gone back 30-40 years because my knees feel like they did when I was 25 years old.”

— Gary Towle, MD, Coon Joint Replacement Institute patient

If you’re tired of living with unbearable knee pain or hip pain, you’re not alone. Every year, around 1,200 people like Gary turn to Coon Joint Replacement Institute at Adventist Health St. Helena.

You should carefully evaluate your options when choosing a treatment, surgeon or hospital. Before they chose to move forward with joint replacement surgery at Coon Joint Replacement Institute, most of our former patients had questions about the experience. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve provided answers to their most common questions below.

Questions about knee surgery

When should I see a knee specialist about my knee pain?

Constant knee pain, stiffness or swelling are not normal. They’re usually signs of a problem inside the joint, such as an injury or osteoarthritis.

You should see a knee specialist (orthopedic surgeon) if any of the following applies to you:

It hurts too much to walk, climb stairs or participate in your favorite activities.
Knee pain wakes you up at night.
Home remedies like shoe inserts, braces or ibuprofen don’t help your pain.

The first step to overcoming knee pain is to learn what’s causing it. We can help by performing a thorough orthopedic exam or providing a second opinion.

What types of knee surgery does Coon Joint Replacement Institute offer?

The surgeons at Coon Joint Replacement Institute offer several options to treat different knee problems. These include:

Knee arthroscopy: Repairs torn cartilage or ligaments or removes inflamed tissue or loose bone.

Partial knee resurfacing: We offer unicompartmental knee resurfacing, a procedure that resurfaces only the affected compartment of the arthritic femur and the tibia. Another form of partial knee resurfacing is the patellofemoral knee resurfacing, a procedure that resurfaces the worn patella and the trochlea or the grove at the end of the thighbone.

MAKOplasty® partial knee resurfacing: This is an innovative treatment option for adults living with early- to mid-stage osteoarthritis in either the inner, top or both compartments of the knee. The robot is powered by the RIO ARM Interactive orthopedic System, which allows for consistently reproducible precision in performing partial knee resurfacing. During the procedure, the diseased portion of the knee is resurfaced, sparing the patient’s healthy bone and surrounding tissue. An implant is then secured in the joint to allow the knee to move smoothly again. MAKOplasty^® partial knee resurfacing can:
- Facilitate optimal implant positioning to result in a more natural feeling knee following surgery.
- Result in a more rapid recovery and shorter hospital stay than traditional knee replacement surgery.
- Be performed on an outpatient basis.
- Promote a rapid relief from pain and return to daily activities.
- As a knee arthroplasty procedure, MAKOplasty^® is typically covered by most Medicare-approved and private health insurers.
Total knee replacement: Knee replacement is a surgical procedure performed in which a diseased or damaged joint is replaced with an artificial joint called a prosthesis. Made of metal alloys and high-grade plastics (to mimic the function of bone and cartilage, respectively), the prosthesis is designed to move just like a healthy human joint. Over the years, knee replacement techniques and instrumentation have undergone countless improvements. Today, knee replacement is one of the safest and most successful types of major surgery; in over 90% of cases it is complication-free and results in significant pain relief and restoration of mobility.

What is the difference between a partial knee replacement and a total knee replacement?

Your knee contains three separate sections called compartments. If OA affects only one or two of these compartments, you may benefit from a partial knee replacement. This means your surgeon will resurface the damaged compartment with plastic or metal parts and leave the rest of your knee intact.

Compared to total knee replacement, partial knee replacement uses fewer (and smaller) artificial parts. And your surgeon won’t have to remove as much bone and tissue. This means you may have a faster recovery with less pain. Your knee may also feel more natural and bend more easily.

If you have advanced arthritis and your pain is severe, you may need a total knee replacement.

Your surgeon will replace damaged bone and cartilage in the bottom of your thigh (femur) and top of your shin bone (tibia) with plastic or metal parts. A plastic “spacer” will help your new implants glide against each other. Depending on the extent of your arthritis, your surgeon may also resurface the underside of your kneecap (patella) with plastic.

How long does knee replacement surgery take?

Most knee replacement surgeries last between 35 minutes and two hours, including preparation time.

What is knee surgery recovery like?

Thanks to the latest advances in implant design and surgical techniques, knee replacement surgery is safer and less invasive than ever before—with minimal down time.

At Coon Joint Replacement Institute, the average length of stay in the hospital following knee surgery is only 1.1 days. This means most of our patients begin recovering in the comfort of their own homes the next day. And, most patients are up and walking with the help of their care team before they leave the hospital.

Your care team will give you specific instructions for when to resume showering, exercising and driving, and how to take care of your surgical incision. However, you should be able to resume most normal activities of daily living within three to six weeks, with complete recovery in three to six months.

Long-term, you should avoid high-impact activities such as distance running, skiing and contact sports. Low-impact exercise like cycling, swimming, golfing and walking will help your new knee last much longer.

Questions about hip surgery

When should I see a hip specialist about my hip pain?

Severe, daily hip pain is not normal. It usually indicates you have osteoarthritis or another problem inside the hip.

You should see a hip specialist (orthopedic surgeon) if any of the following applies to you.

Pain and stiffness make it hard for you to lift or move your leg, and you can’t tolerate walking, climbing stairs or getting in and out of your car.
Hip pain wakes you up at night.
Home remedies like shoe inserts, a cane or over-the-counter medicines don’t help your pain.

The first step to overcoming hip pain is to learn what’s causing it. We can help by performing a thorough orthopedic exam or providing a second opinion.

What types of hip surgery does Coon Joint Replacement Institute offer?

Our surgeons offer two main types of hip surgery:

Total hip replacement: Replaces the entire joint with ceramic, plastic or metal parts. Whenever possible we use minimally invasive techniques, such as direct anterior hip replacement.
Hip resurfacing: Caps the top of the thigh bone (femur) with metal, leaving most of the bone intact.

What is the difference between a total hip replacement and hip resurfacing?

If advanced arthritis makes it too painful to walk — and you’re in pain even while resting — you may need a total hip replacement.

Your surgeon will remove the top of your femur and the bowl-shaped “socket” in your pelvis, then replace them with ceramic, metal or plastic parts. These parts are designed to glide against each other and move just like a normal hip.

Unlike a total hip replacement, which removes the top of the thigh bone, hip resurfacing leaves most of the bone intact. Your surgeon will simply shave off a few millimeters of bone and cap it with metal—just like capping a tooth. The resurfaced thigh fits neatly into the hip socket, which is also lined with metal.

Hip resurfacing is appropriate for patients who are more active and have good bone quality. It’s also an option for people with hip osteoarthritis who want to continue participating in high-impact activities after surgery.

How long does a hip replacement last?

Broadly speaking, most modern hip implants last at least 15 years. But the lifespan of your implant will depend on several factors. These include your weight, activity level and how well you take care of your new joint.

What is hip surgery recovery like?

Thanks to the latest advances in implant design and surgical techniques, hip replacement surgery is safer and less invasive than ever before — with minimal down time.

At Coon Joint Replacement Institute, the average length of stay in the hospital following hip surgery is only 1.32 days. This means most of our patients begin recovering in the comfort of their own homes the next day. And, most patients are up and walking with the help of their care team before they leave the hospital.

Long-term, you should avoid high-impact activities such as distance running, singles tennis, skiing and contact sports. Low-impact exercise like cycling, swimming, golfing and walking will help your new hip last much longer.

Questions about Coon Joint Replacement Institute

I’ve heard Coon Joint Replacement Institute has some of the top knee surgeons and hip surgeons on the West Coast. Do you have data about your surgeons’ outcomes and experience?

Yes, our team is known for providing care that is safe, effective and innovative.

Our long-term data proves that after surgery, our patients walk farther, go home sooner and have lower infection rates. And we consistently rank above the 90^th percentile on surveys that rate our patients’ experience. Learn more about our clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Adventist Health St. Helena (St. Helena Hospital) and Coon Joint Replacement Institute are also routinely recognized by independent, third-party organizations that rate or oversee health care quality and safety. Learn more about our awards and other accolades.

Can I see an orthopedic surgeon at Coon Joint Replacement Institute if I don’t live in the area?

Yes, we frequently see patients from across California, Oregon and beyond. In fact, more than 60% of our patients choose to travel more than 100 miles to receive their care here.

Our client services team, available seven days a week, offers free, concierge-style guidance to people who are getting ready for joint replacement surgery—including special services for out-of-town patients. We can help you obtain insurance authorizations, request your joint X-rays or schedule your pre- and post-operative appointments. We can also make travel recommendations and help you and your travel companions find places to stay, eat or explore during your trip to Napa Valley.

Learn more about our client services team.

How often will I need to see my Coon Joint Replacement Institute surgeon after joint replacement surgery?

Follow-up appointments to check your progress, including joint range-of-motion, are conducted at three weeks, six weeks and six months after surgery. Our patient navigators are also available by phone anytime you have questions or concerns between visits.

Call Coon Joint Replacement Institute today

If you have additional questions about Coon Joint Replacement Institute or your upcoming surgery, please call (877) 747-9991. Our client services team is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.