7 reasons why Dr. Howell is the #1 choice for knee replacements
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Are you tired of ignoring the telltale signs you need a total knee replacement?
If you’ve already tried taking over-the-counter medications, Cortisone injections, and even losing weight to alleviate your knee pain — and nothing’s worked successfully, it may be time to consider a TKR.
After all, knee replacement surgery is the only permanent option for pain relief.
But is a TKR right for you?
Find out if you’re a good candidate for total knee replacement surgery in less than 5 minutes. Take our free assessment: the Oxford Knee Score Quiz now!
The Oxford Score helps you decide if you need a TKR now or sometime in the future.
Just answer a few quick questions online about how long your knee pain has persisted and how it’s impacting your life. Then you’ll receive a score ranging from 0-48.
When you score below a 30, you may want to seriously consider knee replacement surgery. And when you score above a 30, you may still have time before you need one.
Either way, you’ll have an answer in less time than a commercial break.
So if you learn you’re a good candidate for a total knee replacement, who should you entrust with the job?
7 reasons why Dr. Howell is the best choice for knee replacement surgery
It’s important to connect and feel comfortable with your surgeon, their staff, and the facility where you’ll be having your TKR.
So here are seven reasons why we think Dr. Howell makes the perfect choice:
#1. Dr. Howell is a leading knee expert
Dr. Howell is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with more than three decades of experience as a clinician, researcher, and innovator in total knee replacements.
For the last 24 years, Dr. Howell studied the biomechanics of the knee at the University of California, Davis as an Adjunct Professor of Biomedical Engineering in collaboration with Distinguished Professor Maury Hull, PhD.
Publishing more than 140 scientific articles, Dr. Howell has advanced the understanding and treatment of patients with degenerative arthritis of the knee, knee replacement, ACL tears, and so much more.
No one knows the ins and outs of your knee better than Dr. Howell.
In fact, he understands knees and TKR so well, he invented his own approach to fixing them.
#2. Dr. Howell invented the Kinematic Alignment Method for total knee replacements.
In 2005, Dr. Howell developed the kinematic alignment method for TKR, an innovative 3D technique that improves the placement of your knee implants for a more natural, seamless recovery.
See, when someone needs a knee replacement, most surgeons use the traditional or mechanical alignment method, which means they place the implant where it would be suitable for the “average” person.
Here’s the bad news: no two knees, like no two people, are exactly alike.
When the implant is placed without consideration of the natural alignment of your leg and knee, it can cause instabilities you’ll never be able to fix.
That’s why the position and fit of knee implants should be as precise and individual as each patient.
Dr. Howell’s kinematic alignment approach naturally aligns your knee by custom positioning your implant to the native joint line of your knee. Your knee will line up just like it was when you were in your early 20’s!
Let’s get to the benefits of this next.
#3. A Kinematically-Alligned TKR is better overall for your recovery.
Were you always active and on-the-go before knee pain stopped you from leading your busy life?
Are you worried about taking time off to recover from a TKR?
Dr. Howell’s approach to TKR gives you a shorter stay in the hospital and a faster recovery time so you can get back to your life ASAP.
Plus, patients who went with kinematically-aligned TKRs reported higher:
- Satisfaction
- Pain relief
- Function
- Flexibility
On the other hand, 25% of patients who chose a traditional or mechanically-aligned TKR said they still felt pain and stiffness in their knee and they felt more unstable on it too.
#4. DR. HOWELL HAS STATS WORTH BOASTING ABOUT (BUT HE DOESN’T).
Dr. Howell performs more than 550 kinematically-aligned TKRs every year.
And he’s completed over 6,000 TKRs in his career.
While these are impressive enough, Dr. Howell’s rates of readmission, complication, and infection after TKR are among the lowest in the United States.
As you can see, patients under Dr. Howell’s care reduce their average length of stay in the hospital by more than 50% and far fewer experience major complications.
Even more outstanding is that Dr. Howell’s scores boost him to the top 3% of California knee replacement surgeons.
And yet any surgeon is only as good as the dedicated team they work with.
#5. Dr. Howell’s team of awesome nurses and physical and occupational therapists will be there for you when you need them.
During your hospital stay, nurses will assist you with your recovery and meet your needs 24 hours a day. They’ll work to make your stay as pleasant as possible.
Then you’ll have therapists to instruct and assist you with your mobility and exercises for bending and straightening your knee after surgery. They’ll also provide tips for safely performing your daily activities.
#6. Every patient receives a state-of-the-art private room Adventist Health Lodi Memorial so they feel more at home.
From the recovery room of your TKR, you’ll be transferred to a private room equipped with a walk-in shower, pull-out sleeper bed, TV and WiFi.
Your family will be notified of your room number and you’ll be encouraged to have one family member, friend, or your personal coach spend the night with you after surgery.
#7. You’ll know exactly what’s happening every step of the way.
Ever feel like some doctors speak a different language when they’re explaining procedures to you?
You’ll never feel in the dark about your TKR with Dr. Howell and his team.
You can attend a pre-surgery educational class on kinematically aligned total knee replacement, which is held multiple times every month, so you know the procedure from consultation to recovery.
You can even check out Dr. Howell himself explaining a kinematically aligned knee replacement in this medical minute:
Fortunately, since a TKR typically lasts anywhere from 15–20 years, you most likely won’t have to go through this process again.
Ready to schedule your consultation with Dr. Howell?
When a knee replacement seems like it’s on your horizon, Dr. Howell and his team will be there to answer all your questions when you’re ready.
To get in touch, visit this page or call 916-689-7370 or 209-334-8535.
Dr. Stephen Howell and his team of experts will help you get started today.
Don’t forget to take our free assessment: the Oxford Knee Score Quiz, to find out if you’re a good candidate for total knee replacement surgery now!