Joint Replacement Surgery
Fellowship-trained knee replacement surgery in Platteville, WI — including total knee, partial knee, and robotic-assisted procedures. Serving southwest Wisconsin, Dubuque, IA, and Galena, IL.
Overview
Knee replacement — or knee arthroplasty — is one of the most successful and well-studied procedures in all of medicine. It is typically recommended when knee arthritis has progressed to the point that pain, stiffness, and loss of function significantly limit daily activity and conservative treatments have been exhausted.
Dr. Strassman takes a deliberate approach before recommending surgery. Physical therapy, injections, bracing, and activity modification are all explored first. When surgery becomes the right answer, the goal is a precise, durable reconstruction that restores pain-free movement and long-term function.
He performs both total knee replacement and partial (unicompartmental) knee replacement, selecting the approach based on each patient's anatomy, activity level, and degree of joint involvement.
Candidates for Knee Replacement
Moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis confirmed on X-ray
Knee pain that limits walking, stairs, or sleep
Failed conservative treatment (PT, injections, NSAIDs)
Significant stiffness with limited range of motion
Deformity (bow-legged or knock-kneed alignment)
Advanced Technology
Dr. Strassman performs robotic-assisted knee replacement using the Velys Robotic-Assisted Solution. Rather than relying on pre-operative CT scans, the Velys system takes precise intraoperative measurements of your knee's anatomy, alignment, and soft tissue balance in real time — then uses that data to develop a patient-specific surgical plan on the table before a single cut is made.
Unlike freehand technique, the robotic system provides continuous feedback during the procedure, helping ensure the implant is placed in optimal alignment relative to your specific anatomy. This matters because even small errors in implant positioning can accelerate wear and affect how the knee feels during activity.
Robotic assistance does not replace surgical judgment — Dr. Strassman remains in full control throughout the procedure. The technology serves as a precision tool that enhances what an experienced surgeon can achieve.
The Velys system takes precise intraoperative measurements of your knee's alignment, anatomy, and soft tissue balance — building a customized surgical plan in real time before any bone is cut, specific to your anatomy on that day.
The robotic arm provides haptic feedback and boundary enforcement, preventing inadvertent bone removal outside the pre-planned surgical zone.
Precise component positioning reduces wear, improves stability, and is associated with better long-term functional outcomes compared to conventional technique.
Procedure Options
Not every patient needs a total knee replacement. When arthritis is confined to a single compartment of the knee, a partial replacement — which preserves healthy bone and tissue — can be an excellent option with faster recovery and a more natural feel.
| Factor | Total Knee Replacement | Partial Knee Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Arthritis in multiple compartments | Arthritis in one compartment only |
| Bone preserved | Less — all compartments resurfaced | More — only affected area treated |
| Recovery time | 6–12 weeks to most activities | 4–8 weeks, often faster |
| Feel of knee | Excellent for most patients | Often more "natural" feel |
| Longevity | 15–20+ years typical | 10–15+ years, revision possible |
| Robotic assistance | Yes | Yes |
What to Expect
Most patients walk with assistance the day of surgery. Pain is managed with a multimodal protocol minimizing opioid use. Many patients go home the same day or the following morning.
Physical therapy starts immediately. Focus is on reducing swelling, restoring range of motion, and building quad strength. Walking with a walker or cane is typical.
Most patients are walking without assistive devices. Driving typically resumes around 4–6 weeks for right knee, earlier for left. Outpatient PT continues.
Walking, light hiking, golf, cycling, and low-impact activities are typically possible. Significant improvement in pain compared to pre-surgery baseline.
Final outcome typically realized at 6–12 months. Most patients report the knee continuing to feel better even beyond the 6-month mark as swelling fully resolves.
Common Questions