Blackstone, Kung Attend Knee Replacement Seminar

Bruce Blackstone, MD, of Longview Orthopedic Associates

Bruce Blackstone, MD, and Peter Kung, MD, of Longview Orthopedic Associates recently attended a one-day course in San Diego that dealt with unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (partial knee replacement).

The course was presented by Zimmer, which designs and creates innovative joint replacement technologies. Multiple lectures and lab work were included.

Total knee replacement requires removal of the entire ACL (knee ligament). One significant benefit of partial knee replacement is that surgeons need to replace only the damaged tissue.

"There is much less pain and rehab involved with a partial knee replacement," Kung said, "and recovery time is much quicker, with hospital stays typically limited to one day. Patients also retain more range of motion following a partial knee procedure than after total replacement."

Kung noted that partial knee replacement is a great option for those who may be worried about having a total replacement and for those whose conditions require less invasive treatment. "The nation is trending toward partial knee replacements as outpatient surgeries," he said.

Peter Kung, MD, of Longview Orthopedic Associates

The partial knee replacement can be converted to full replacement at a later date if necessary.

Longview Orthopedic Associates is located at 625 9th Avenue at Pacific Surgical Institute. Call 360.501.3400 for more information.