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Dr. McGinley prepares the bone for implantation using the MAKO robot. Treatments for Osteoarthritis of the Knee Numerous treatments benefit patients who have osteoarthritis. At St. Charles Hospital, physicians conservatively man- age the condition, relying on injections and oral medications as long as they work well for patients. Weight loss can also greatly reduce the chance of osteoarthritis becoming worse. "We treat most patients with anti-inflam- matory medications, such as ibuprofen or naproxen," Dr. Petraco says. "When those are no longer effective, our next step is injectables, either cortisone or viscosupple- ments, which are synthetic forms of the lubricants the joint naturally produces." Medical treatments and lifestyle adjust- ments may remain effective for many months or years. Nevertheless, some patients will eventually need surgery for their condition. Knee replacement surgery options include total knee replacement and partial knee resurfacing, both of which are performed with excellent results at St. Charles Hospital. "When conservative measures are no longer effective and patients' lifestyles are being dramatically altered because of discomfort, we begin to assess surgical options," Dr. Petraco says. "If the arthritis is confined to only one of the three com- ponents of the knee, a partial replacement is often the best choice." In addition to those whose arthritis is lim- ited to a single knee compartment, patients who would benefit from MAKOplasty partial knee resurfacing include those who have middle-stage arthritis. Relatively young patients make good candidates and are turning to this option in increasing numbers, Dr. Petraco says. "People in their 50s or even 40s often present with only one compartment of their knee affected by arthritis," he says. "We can help these patients return to normal function, and they will be able to do things they could never accomplish with a total knee replacement. Then, many years down the road, when they need a procedure to convert their partial knee resurfacing to a total knee replacement, it is like a first replacement for them." Those with congenital alignment prob- lems, such as genu varum or genu valgum, may also benefit from partial knee resurfac- ing, according to Brian McGinley, MD, orthopedic surgeon at St. Charles Hospital. "Patients who are knock-kneed or bowlegged may experience joint wear and "At St. Charles Hospital, we have been performing computer-assisted knee replacement surgery for 12 years. The computer- assisted robotic partial knee replacement, or MAKOplasty, improves upon our prior technology. When, as scientists and surgeons, we determine that an investment is best for our community, the hospital partners with us to provide what we need to improve the quality of care for our patients." — Brian McGinley, MD, orthopedic surgeon at St. Charles Hospital M D N E W S . CO M ■ MD NEWS Long Island | 7