When it comes to choosing the best knee replacement option, it's crucial to seek the guidance of a highly qualified and experienced orthopedic surgeon. In Eagle and Summit counties of Colorado, Dr. Nathan Cafferky of Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurology has established himself as a trusted board-certified orthopedic surgeon, specializing in knee treatments. With clinical expertise in both full and partial knee replacements, Dr. Cafferky offers personalized care to patients in Vail, Frisco, Buena Vista, and Denver.

Nathan Cafferky, MD, is a board-certified orthopaedic doctor with a strong clinical focus on joint replacement procedures, including knee replacement surgery for active patients. Dr. Cafferky’s explicit goal is to return patients to the lifestyle they enjoy — this includes a growing number of pickleball players. Patients want to know, “Can I play pickleball after knee replacement surgery?” Dr. Cafferky helps patients know how, and when they can return to pickleball following a knee replacement.

If pain, stiffness, or limited mobility is impacting your ability to do the activities you love most, it may be time to consider a total knee replacement. It's normal to have concerns about getting an artificial joint or feel anxiety about the surgery itself. Yet, for many people, a knee replacement can be transformative, allowing them to resume an active and fulfilling lifestyle.

If you are considering having hip or knee replacement surgery — or have one scheduled — you may be feeling a mix of emotions: excited at the prospect of improved mobility and reduced pain, but also anxious or overwhelmed. However, with the right support and preparation, you can minimize some of the associated stress and set yourself up for a successful surgery and recovery process.

“For me, the choice for surgery boiled down to one question: do I want to live well now or wait around for some undetermined amount of time? I chose to live NOW.”

No two patients are alike, which means there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to joint replacement surgery. However, several factors will help you and your orthopaedic joint specialist determine whether a partial or total knee replacement is right for you.

If you're considering a total knee replacement, learn more about three new technologies Dr. Cafferky offers to help you get back to doing the activities you love.

Dr. Cafferky and his team are proud to offer Persona IQ, the world’s first and only smart knee implant granted De Novo status by the FDA for total knee replacement surgery.

Here are some signs it’s time to speak with your orthopaedic joint replacement expert about getting a total knee replacement.

Total knee replacement surgery is a procedure that removes the damaged bone and cartilage in the knee joint and replaces it with an implant. This surgery aims to restore knee function, relieve knee pain, and help patients regain their quality of life.

Here's what you can expect from the knee replacement rehabilitation process.

Knee instability is often caused by an underlying condition. Here’s what could be causing your knee’s inability to bear weight and whether knee replacement surgery is the answer.

Even though robotic knee systems have been around for years, the idea of a robot in the operating room can seem scary to some.

Active people know that knee pain can severely impact their ability to participate in the sports and outdoor activities they love. In that situation, a knee replacement may be the solution.

Last month, Dr. Cafferky at his team performed one of the very first ROSA-assisted medial unicompartmental knee replacements in the United States at Vail Health!

Whether you’re a candidate for a total or partial knee replacement depends on several different factors. Here’s how to know if a partial knee replacement is right for you.

Dr. Nathan Cafferky of Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery (VSON) recently published a case series highlighting the benefits of robotic surgical assistants for knee replacement patients in a series of unique total knee arthroplasty cases.

While sometimes people can be predisposed to osteoarthritis, there are steps you can take to keep your knee joints healthy as you age.

If a patient had a knee replacement surgery in their younger years, they may need a second operation to clean, fix, or replace the implant. This is called knee revision surgery.

Here’s how to prepare for your knee placement rehabilitation so you can recover quickly and successfully.