Knee · Total Replacement
A new knee. Designed around you.
Total knee replacement isn't about replacing a worn joint — it's about helping you return to the life you want to live.
When knee replacement makes sense
Many people live with knee arthritis for years before considering surgery. Medications, injections, physical therapy, weight management, and activity modification can provide meaningful relief — but there comes a point when pain begins limiting everyday life.
The decision to proceed with surgery is never based solely on an X-ray. Dr. Seem believes treatment should be based on how your knee affects your life, your goals, and your ability to do the things that matter most.
How your procedure is personalized
Every knee is different. Rather than applying the same alignment philosophy to every patient, Dr. Seem uses robotic technology and a functional alignment philosophy to evaluate your anatomy and determine the approach that best fits your individual knee.
The robot does not perform the surgery. It provides objective information that allows Dr. Seem to make thoughtful decisions while minimizing unnecessary soft-tissue releases whenever possible.
Partial knee replacement, when it fits
When arthritis affects only one part of the knee, replacing the entire joint isn’t always necessary. For the right candidate, Dr. Seem performs partial knee replacement — resurfacing only the worn compartment while preserving your healthy bone, cartilage, and ligaments.
Because less tissue is disturbed, many patients recover more quickly and keep a more natural-feeling knee, though every recovery is individualized. Whether a partial or total replacement fits you depends on your anatomy, your arthritis pattern, and your goals — decided together.
What the first weeks look like
The operation itself is often the easiest part. Recovery continues over months through rehabilitation, communication, and a gradual return to activity.
Dr. Seem believes recovery should be just as personalized as surgery itself — using education, therapy, and connected recovery technologies when appropriate to guide patients back to the activities they enjoy.
- Does the robot perform my surgery?
- No. Dr. Seem performs every aspect of the operation. The robot provides information to support surgical decision-making.
- Will my knee feel normal?
- The goal is a stable, comfortable knee that feels as natural as possible while restoring function.
- When can I drive again?
- Two things have to be true: you are no longer taking narcotic pain medication, and you feel safe and in control behind the wheel. There is no medical clearance or physical-therapy sign-off required — nobody can tell you the exact day, because it is your judgment to make. Most knee replacement patients are driving again around three to four weeks, sooner for some and longer for others. Hip replacement patients often return slightly sooner. If you are not confident you could brake hard in an emergency, you are not ready yet.
- When can I shower?
- Most of Dr. Seem’s patients are able to shower right away after surgery. What matters is not submerging the incision — so showers are fine, but no baths, hot tubs, or pools until the incision is fully healed and Dr. Seem tells you it is safe. Follow the specific dressing instructions you are given at discharge.
- How long will I need a walker or cane?
- Most patients use a walker for the first days to weeks, transition to a cane, and then to nothing at all as strength and balance return. Progress is individual — the device comes away when you are steady without it, not on a fixed date.
- When can I return to work?
- Desk work is often possible within two to four weeks, particularly if you can work from home part of the time. Work requiring prolonged standing, lifting, or climbing takes longer. Tell Dr. Seem what your job actually involves and he will give you a realistic timeline.
Next step
Ready to talk through your options with Dr. Seem?