Recognizing the Signs
If you’re living with knee arthritis, meniscus damage, ligament instability or other long-term joint issues, pay attention if you experience:
- Constant pain in your knee that doesn’t improve with rest, medication or physical therapy.
- Difficulty walking, climbing stairs, getting in and out of chairs, or performing daily tasks you once did with ease.
- Noticeable joint deformity, instability or a feeling that the knee “gives out.”
- X-rays showing advanced cartilage loss (“bone-on-bone”) or multiple compartments of the knee being involved.
- Your quality of life is being impacted — you avoid activities you love because of knee pain.
Why See Dr. Cepkinian?
Dr. Vahan Cepkinian is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in joint replacement with over 20 years of experience. He treats patients with hip, knee and shoulder arthritis, revision cases, and trauma around joint replacements. At his practice, he emphasizes personalized care and advanced techniques to help patients regain mobility and reduce pain.
Advanced Technology: VELYS Robotic Knee System
One of the cutting-edge tools utilized by Dr. Cepkinian is the VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution. This system enhances surgical precision and aims to improve outcomes for knee replacement patients
Key benefits include:
- Personalized surgical planning and execution tailored to your unique knee anatomy.
- High-precision cuts, alignment and soft-tissue balance to optimize implant performance.
The VELYS system has received FDA clearance for total knee arthroplasty and more recently for uni-compartmental knee replacement.
So, When Should You Act?
- If you’ve tried conservative treatments — such as injections, physical therapy, bracing or medication — and your knee pain persists, it’s time to talk about knee replacement. Specifically: Persistent knee pain despite non-surgical treatment for six months to a year wise to consult.
- Significant functional limitations: unable to walk, drive, climb, or sleep comfortably because of your knee.
- Imaging and evaluation confirm severe joint damage or arthritis.
- You’re motivated to regain an active lifestyle and your physician agrees you are medically appropriate for surgery.
What to Expect Next
In your consultation with Dr. Cepkinian:
- A thorough history and physical of your knee (and overall health).
- Imaging (X-ray, possibly MRI) to assess cartilage, bone, alignment and joint compartments.
- Discussion of your goals, lifestyle, pain levels and treatment options—both non-surgical and surgical.
- If appropriate, Dr. Cepkinian may recommend knee replacement with the VELYS robotic system to improve precision and recovery outcomes.
- A tailored plan for surgery, recovery, physical therapy and follow-up that fits your individual needs.