Andrew B. Harris, MD · Last reviewed September 2026
Knee replacement is a major focus of Dr. Harris's practice. Knee replacement surgery resurfaces the worn ends of the joint with metal and plastic, with the goal of relieving pain while preserving the patient's own muscles and most of the ligaments. Modern knee replacements can last for 30+ years.1,2
For arthritis, a knee replacement is usually an elective operation, and the timing is largely your choice. Some problems, such as certain fractures, collapse of the bone, or infection, are treated sooner; your surgeon will tell you if one applies. The right time is when the knee limits the patient's life, non-surgical care is no longer enough, and the patient decides they are ready.
Dr. Harris performs total and partial knee replacement, often with robotic assistance.
Osteoarthritis is the most common reason for a knee replacement, but not the only reason. A knee may also need replacing because of inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid or psoriatic disease, osteonecrosis, meaning loss of blood supply to a portion of the bone, or arthritis that develops years after an injury or fracture.
Age alone is not a criterion, and neither is the appearance of the X-ray by itself.
When wear is limited to one part of the knee, a partial knee replacement resurfaces only that part and preserves the healthy cartilage and ligaments elsewhere in the joint. When arthritis involves most of the knee, a total knee replacement is usually the better option. Which one applies is decided from the examination and the imaging, and confirmed during the operation.
Most patients work through non-surgical treatment before surgery is on the table. If a patient is still deciding, the guide to signs you may need a knee replacement covers what usually tips the balance.
Dr. Harris sees patients in Skokie, across the North Shore, and in the city of Chicago.
One knee, then the three operations. How much of the joint is resurfaced follows how much of it is worn.
Most patients start with an in-person visit, an examination, and standing X-rays of the knee. If those show arthritis and non-surgical care has had prolonged trial without adequate relief, surgery becomes a reasonable option to discuss.
How long a patient waits to undergo surgery is largely up to them. Some patients book surgery within a few weeks, others come back a year later, and both are reasonable choices. One timing rule surgeons generally follow involves injections: if a patient has had a steroid injection into the knee, surgery is generally scheduled at least three months later, because an injection that close to surgery has been associated with a higher risk of infection.
Before surgery, patients are seen for medical clearance, and any conditions that affect anesthesia or healing are addressed. The implants and the plan for going home are decided before the day of surgery.
Most patients are up and walking with assistance the day of surgery, and for many healthy patients a knee replacement can be done as a same-day, outpatient procedure.
Physical therapy is central to the result. Most of the progress happens in the first three months, with gains continuing for up to a year. Recovery varies, and your surgeon will give you a plan for your own case. The knee replacement recovery guide covers the timeline week by week.
Knee replacement is a decision most people make once. It is worth asking how much of a surgeon's practice is hip and knee replacement, whether they handle revision cases if there is a problem years later, and how they explain the reasoning behind a recommendation.
The page on choosing a joint replacement surgeon in Chicago covers what is worth asking about, including second opinions.
A knee replacement is considered when knee damage limits daily life despite non-surgical care. Depending on how much of the knee is worn, a partial or a total knee replacement may be recommended, based on the examination and the imaging.
For many knees, yes. Robotic assistance and computer navigation are used to help fine-tune implant position and soft-tissue balance.
When wear is limited to one part of the knee, a partial knee replacement preserves the healthy cartilage and ligaments. When arthritis involves most of the joint, a total knee replacement is usually recommended.
Most patients walk the same day and make the majority of their progress in the first three months, with gains continuing up to a year. Recovery varies, and your surgeon will give you a plan for your own case. Physical therapy is central to the result.
Modern knee replacements can last for 30+ years.1,2 Implants can still wear or loosen over time, which is what revision surgery addresses.
Generally three months. A steroid injection into the joint has been associated with a higher risk of infection if surgery follows too closely, so surgery is generally scheduled at least three months later.
No. For arthritis, a knee replacement is usually an elective operation, and the timing is largely your choice. Some problems, such as certain fractures, collapse of the bone, or infection, are treated sooner; your surgeon will tell you if one applies.
General information for patients and clinicians, not a substitute for advice from your own surgeon.
If knee pain is getting in the way of what you want to do, Dr. Harris is glad to take a look and talk through the options.
