Who Performs Minimally Invasive Knee Replacement Surgery In Queens?

Dr. Eric Lepkowsky performs minimally invasive knee replacement at Total Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Queens. As a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon, he specializes in robotic-assisted and navigated joint replacement techniques. His major focus is on reducing tissue damage, minimizing scarring, and protecting surrounding muscles to help you recover faster with less pain and better joint function.

At our clinic, we begin with a detailed physical exam and advanced imaging to assess your knee joint. Our team also considers factors like your age, bone quality, joint alignment, and overall health to determine if you’re a good candidate for knee replacement. If surgery isn’t appropriate, then we will guide you toward non-surgical treatment options. Visit our Queens clinic at 207-12 Northern Blvd, 3rd Floor, Bayside, today for comprehensive orthopedic care.

Where Can You Get Minimally Invasive Knee Surgery in Queens?

You can get knee surgery at Total Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Queens. Our clinic has the best doctors for minimally invasive knee replacements. We use modern tools, advanced surgical techniques, and targeted treatment plans to help you return to daily activities with greater safety, comfort, and mobility.

Our surgeons plan each procedure using detailed preoperative imaging. This allows us to customize the surgical approach based on your entire joint structure and health profile. Moreover, we also provide detailed guidance on prehabilitation, like mobility exercises, strength-building routines, and activity restrictions, to help your body recover more efficiently. During surgery, our orthopedists make smaller incisions to remove damaged surfaces of the joint and place an implant, while minimizing blood loss. In addition, we use sterile dressings and advanced closure techniques to protect the incision site and lower infection risk.

If you’re eligible, our surgeons may perform an outpatient knee replacement, which allows you to return home the same day. For postoperative care, we offer a structured recovery plan focused on restoring strength, balance, and range of motion. Our doctors also monitor incision healing, implant alignment, and pain levels at each follow-up consultation. This approach reduces complications, shortens downtime, and supports long-term joint performance.

When Should You Get a Knee Replacement?

You should get knee replacement surgery when joint damage, arthritis, or knee injury causes constant pain, limits your daily movement, or leads to bone-on-bone contact due to cartilage loss. Also, if other treatments, like medication and rehabilitation, fail after 3 to 6 months, a knee replacement can provide long-term relief.

Here are some additional signs that indicate the need for total knee replacement surgery:

• Frequent knee buckling or instability, which results from damage to the joint’s outside portion, makes it difficult to walk safely or stand for long periods.
• Visible joint deformity, such as bowing inward or outward, that affects posture and balance.
• Persistent swelling or inflammation that doesn’t improve with rest or ice.
• Sleep disruption due to pain, even when resting or using supportive cushions at night.

How Doctors Determine Eligibility for Minimally Invasive Knee Surgery?

To determine eligibility for surgery, doctors examine your knee structure, X-ray, MRI, or CT scan results, medical history, and overall health. Ideal candidates usually have damage in one of the three compartments of the knee joint, either the medial, patellofemoral, or lateral compartment. They also have healthy ligaments and strong bone quality. Surgeons also consider your BMI, age, and ability to follow postoperative care before recommending a knee replacement.

In addition, they assess your knee joint alignment during movement. If your anterior cruciate ligament is stable and the joint can maintain appropriate angles without shifting or collapsing, that supports a safer, more successful surgical outcome. The size and shape of your joint are also considered. This helps confirm that artificial components can be inserted through smaller incisions without compromising their fit or stability.

Furthermore, orthopedists examine your ability to tolerate general anesthesia and surgical positioning when deciding eligibility. If you’ve high cardiopulmonary risk, you might need further screening, as poor lung or heart function can increase the chance of complications. Similarly, if you face poor circulation, there can be increased chances of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT). According to the Journal of Orthopedic Surgery and Research, the risk of DVT is much higher in patients over 60 years old. In such cases, doctors take extra precautions or may advise against the surgical procedure, depending on how these conditions could affect healing.

How Doctors Manage Pain After Knee Joint Surgery?

At Total Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, our doctors manage post-op pain through the multimodal analgesia technique, which involves nerve blocks, NSAIDs, acetaminophen, and local anesthetics like liposomal bupivacaine. These methods work together to control pain from different angles while reducing dependency on opioids. Supportive measures like ice, elevation, early movement, and strengthening and range-of-motion exercises further enhance pain relief and promote healing.

Here are some additional pain management techniques used after knee surgery:

• Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) uses an IV-connected pump that releases a safe dose of pain medication upon pressing a button when needed.
• A peripheral nerve catheter delivers a continuous flow of local anesthetic to ease pain for several days.
• Cryotherapy devices involve cold compression to reduce swelling and numb the area more effectively than ice packs.
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation sends mild electrical pulses through the skin to block pain signals.
• Compression socks or devices help reduce swelling, ease discomfort, and lower the risk of blood clots.

How Long Does a Minimally Invasive Knee Replacement Last?

A minimally invasive knee replacement typically lasts 20 years or even longer. The exact lifespan depends on factors like implant quality, fixation method (cemented or cementless), surgical approach, patient age, activity level, and weight. With proper care and follow-up, most implants function well for decades without needing revision surgery.

However, over time, certain parts, such as the plastic component, can still wear down from repeated use, especially in younger patients with an active lifestyle. Similarly, individuals who are obese, anemic, or have other medical conditions may face a higher risk of early implant damage. This may lead to symptoms like stiffness, swelling, or reduced mobility. That’s why it’s important to attend all your follow-up appointments, so your doctor can monitor the implant condition and address any issues early. In severe cases, a revision surgery may be required to replace worn-out or unstable components and restore proper joint function.

What Technologies Are Used in Knee Replacement?

For modern knee replacement, surgeons typically use advanced tools like robotic-assisted systems, computer navigation, 3D printing, and smart implants. Other commonly used technologies include augmented reality, imaging-guided placement, and specialized long-shaft instruments designed for minimally invasive surgery. Here’s how each of these joint replacement technologies works:

Robotic Technology

Robotic systems like the MAKO robot use a preoperative CT scan to create a detailed 3D model of your knee. Surgeons use this model to plan the surgery with precise measurements for incisions and implant placement. During the procedure, a robotic arm helps position implant components at the exact angle, depth, and alignment based on the plan. This reduces unnecessary bone removal, protects healthy tissue, and improves the overall fitting of the implant.

Computer Navigation System

Computer-assisted navigation systems track the movement of your knee and surgical tools during the operation. Sensors are placed on your tibia and femur bones, which display your joints’ alignment on screen. This helps surgeons adjust their surgical approach in real time for accurate balancing and placement of implants. According to the Journal of Experimental Orthopedics, knee replacement revision rates are slightly lower with navigation, especially in patients under 65.

3D-Printed Implants

3D printing allows for the production of patient-specific implants, tailored exactly to your joint’s shape and size. This is especially beneficial if you’ve unusual bone anatomy, deformities, or a history of previous surgeries. Furthermore, these implants have porous surfaces that encourage your natural bone to grow into them. This helps secure the implant over time without relying fully on bone cement.

Smart Implants

Smart implants have internal sensors that track load, motion, and implant stress throughout your recovery. These sensors send data to your care team, allowing them to monitor healing, assess joint function, and detect early signs of loosening or uneven pressure. After surgery, this continuous feedback helps personalize rehabilitation and ensure your artificial knee joint is functioning as expected.

Imaging-Guided Implant Placement

Intraoperative imaging tools, such as fluoroscopy or real-time X-rays, allow surgeons to verify implant positioning before completing the procedure. These systems provide instant feedback when the tibial component or femoral component is even slightly misaligned. If there is any misalignment, surgeons can make corrections immediately to reduce the chances of revision surgery.

Augmented Reality

AR uses a headset or screen to display digital guides directly over your knee during surgery. It shows the surgeon exactly where to cut bone, place new implants, and locate key tissues in real time. This improves accuracy without interrupting the surgical workflow, especially in challenging cases.

Long-Shaft Instruments

These instruments are designed for use through smaller incisions. Their extended reach and slim shape let surgeons access deep joint areas without opening large tissue sections. This reduces blood loss, leads to shorter hospital stays, and protects the surrounding muscle, resulting in a quicker and less painful recovery.

Who Should Avoid Minimally Invasive Knee Arthroscopy?

Minimally invasive knee arthroscopy may not be suitable for patients with advanced osteoarthritis, joint infection, severe deformity, or degenerative torn meniscus. It’s also not recommended for individuals who are significantly overweight, have undergone other knee procedures, or suffer from health conditions, like uncontrolled diabetes, bleeding disorders, and advanced heart diseases.

Here are some other situations where your surgeon may use conservative knee treatments instead of recommending surgery:

• Widespread Damage Inside the Knee: Arthroscopy may not provide enough access to repair all affected areas or improve joint function.
• Significant Muscle Tightness: The procedure may not be technically possible when the knee cannot bend or extend enough to allow full access to the damaged portions.
• Active Infections, Poor Skin Condition, or Open Wounds: These conditions raise the risk of knee joint contamination.
• Vascular Diseases: If you have a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, or poor circulation, surgery may increase the risk of bleeding or blocked blood flow.
• Joint Scarring From Past Injury or Surgery: Dense scars limit visibility and restrict surgical tools from effectively reaching the damaged areas.

Book a Consultation With Dr Eric Lepkowsky For a Minimally Invasive Knee Replacement Surgery In Queens!

When knee pain becomes persistent or daily activities feel limited due to arthritis or joint damage, a knee replacement might be necessary to restore proper function. Compared to traditional surgeries, it offers smaller incisions, less scarring, and a shorter healing period. However, achieving these results requires choosing a board-certified surgeon with experience in advanced techniques.

At Total Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Dr. Eric Lepkowsky performs minimally invasive knee replacement using the latest imaging and robotic assistance. This results in precise implant placement, reduced tissue damage, and quicker recovery. You can also benefit from preoperative guidance, followed by structured post-surgery rehabilitation, to restore joint strength and improve movement. Call 855-321-6784 to book an immediate appointment today.

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