MOI-South-Knee_Replacement

Trust us to provide the care you need.

Think you may need a knee replacement or have already tried non-surgical options? We can help.

If you’ve been diagnosed, or think you might have arthritis, you may be experiencing:

Pain, swelling or stiffness in and around your knee
Popping, grating or rubbing sounds

Difficulty standing, walking or sitting
Limited movement of the knee
Limping

We have fellowship-trained knee experts who provide non-surgical and surgical treatment options to bring you relief. Whether you are taking medications or just want a second opinion, we are ready to evaluate and help you explore your options.

MedStar Health knee specialists can evaluate your pain at 12 locations spanning the Washington, D.C., region, including the Maryland and Virginia suburbs.

Enjoy more ease of movement.

Chronic knee pain can interfere with work or play—but it doesn’t have to. If joint-related pain keeps you from doing what you love, visit a specialist in or around the Washington, D.C., area to help relieve your symptoms, with or without surgery.

Knee and Joint Conditions
MedStar Orthopaedic Institute experts diagnose and treat the full range of knee and joint conditions. We offer non-surgical, minimally invasive, and standard treatments for conditions that affect mobility, such as:

Arthritis and degenerative conditions

Generalized knee pain

Instability, swelling or pain

Second and third opinions welcome

Avascular necrosis—temporary or permanent loss of blood supply to the bones in the knee

With advanced imaging—and insights about your symptoms and goals—we can pinpoint the cause and recommend a treatment plan to help you enjoy more pain-free days.

Typically, if you are under 50 and suffered a sports injury, rest assured you likely do not need a knee replacement and are better served by seeing an orthopedic sports medicine specialist.
Treatment Options
Our experts will discuss all your treatment options with you. Then, we will personalize your care plan based on your lifestyle, needs, and goals. We exhaust all non-surgical options first, and we may recommend a combination of treatments such as:

Anti-inflammatory or pain medication

Arthroscopy to “clean up” damaged joint tissue

Corticosteroid injections

Physical therapy

Radiofrequency ablation

Weight loss

If you have already tried these non-surgical treatment options and do not have relief, our surgeons are here to help.

MedStar Orthopaedic Institute joint surgeons are experts in minimally invasive and advanced techniques. If you need knee replacement, we will help you understand what to expect before, during, and after your procedure. Using leading-edge robotic and image-guided technologies, we offer the full range of procedures, including:

Cementless knee replacement

Corrections or replacements of formerly replaced joints

Full and partial knee replacement

Outpatient knee replacement

Navigated and robotic-assisted surgery

Renowned for surgical excellence, our specialists tend to the joint health of athletes who play for the Washington Wizards, Washington Capitals, Washington Mystics and Georgetown Hoyas to name a few.
Robotic-Assisted Knee Replacement
Innovative robotic technologies do not replace surgical expertise but do help us give you the most precise outcomes. Using the latest technology, our knee surgeons get a better view of your joint, bones, muscles, and nerves—allowing us to maneuver instruments with more accuracy than ever before.

Robotic-assisted knee replacement using the innovative MAKOplasty® or ROSA® systems require smaller incisions than traditional arthroplasty. Using 3D bone modeling and virtual implant templates based on your own imaging, we can size, align, and position your new knee joint to seamlessly match your anatomy.

With precise, personalized planning, our expert surgeons can avoid disturbing healthy tissues around the joint as we correct the cause of your symptoms. The results?

Shorter hospital stay—or no stay required

Faster recovery

Lower risk of complications

Every patient may not be a candidate for robotic surgery. We work with you to develop the right plan for you and your recovery. Click here for more information on Mako

Relief starts here.

Closeup side view of a doctor examining the knee of a male patient during an appointment. The doctor is gently touching the tendons around the knee and the knee cap and trying to determine the cause of pain.

See if you are a candidate for knee replacement. Take our free 7-minute quiz to learn about your treatment options.

Take a Risk Assessment

For more information call

202-295-0511,

or

Request an Appointment

Mako for Total and Partial Knee replacement

We understand that knowing what to expect from your joint replacement experience is important to you. As you are reading through this material, please reach out to us to discuss if you have additional questions.

Each patient is unique and can experience joint pain for different reasons. It’s important to talk to us about the reason for your knee pain so you can understand the treatment options available to you. Pain from arthritis and joint degeneration can be constant or come and go, occur with movement or after a period of rest, or be located in one spot or many parts of the body. It is common for patients to try medication and other conservative treatments to treat their knee pain. If you haven’t experienced adequate relief with those treatment options, you may be a candidate for Mako Knee replacement, which may provide you with relief from your knee pain.

Mako can help your surgeon plan for better outcomes, like less pain and shorter recovery times compared to traditional knee replacement surgery.

How Mako Works For Knee Replacement

Mako is an innovative solution for many suffering from painful arthritis of the knee.

Scan. It all starts with a CT scan so your surgeon can know more about your anatomy.

Plan. The CT scan is used to create a 3D CT-based model of your knee. Your surgeon uses this 3D model to create a personalized surgical plan and assist your surgeon in performing your knee replacement procedure.

Mako Can. In the operating room, your surgeon follows your personalized surgical plan while preparing the bone for the implant. The surgeon guides Mako’s robotic arm within the predefined area, and Mako’s AccuStop™ technology helps the surgeon stay within the planned boundaries that were defined when the personalized preoperative plan was created.

It's important to understand that the surgery is performed by an orthopaedic surgeon, who guides Mako's robotic arm during the surgery to position the implant in the knee joint. Mako does not perform surgery, make decisions on its own or move without the surgeon guiding it. Mako also allows your surgeon to make adjustments to your plan during surgery as needed.
Mako Total Knee Replacement Patient Story

Meet our knee replacement experts.

MedStar Orthopaedic Institute is home to one of the Washington, D.C., region's largest fellowship-trained joint replacement teams. We are on the leading edge of research and using the latest data-driven techniques with knee replacement surgery. Our experts work closely with pain management and physical rehabilitation specialists throughout MedStar Health—so every patient gets an exceptionally personalized, team-based treatment plan.

Brett Levine, MD
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
MedStar Montgomery Medical Center
McLean

Afamefuna Nduaguba, MD
MedStar Washington Hospital Center
Mitchellville

Ahamefula Onyike, MD
MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center
Brandywine
White Plains

Kevin Park, MD
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
MedStar Montgomery Medical Center
Chevy Chase
Gaithersburg
McLean

Angela Tomaschko, MD
MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center
Alexandria
Brandywine
Lake Ridge

Kenneth M. Vaz, MD
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
MedStar Montgomery Medical Center
Chevy Chase
McLean

Knee Replacement Experts
Brett Levine, MD
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
MedStar Montgomery Medical Center
McLean

Brett Levine, MD

Brett Levine, MD, is a fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopaedic surgeon with nearly two decades of experience with Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush. He joins MedStar Orthopaedic Institute as Chief of the Joint Arthroplasty Division, MedStar Orthopaedic Institute, Washington Region.

He specializes in adult reconstruction of the hip and knee and his areas of special expertise and interest include:

Minimally invasive joint replacement

Partial and total knee replacement

Hip replacement

Complex primary knee and hip replacement

Revision hip and knee replacement

Degenerative joint disease

Inflammatory arthritis

Post-joint replacement infections

Total femoral replacement

Knee fusion

Dr. Levine is an active researcher. His research has been widely published in peer-reviewed journals, including The Journal of Arthroplasty, Arthroplasty Today, and The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. He is also the author of numerous book chapters and has presented at national and international conferences and meetings.

He serves as editor-in-chief of Arthroplasty Today and is a member of the Hip Society, Knee Society, American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. In addition to his clinical work and research, Dr. Levine holds an academic appointment at Georgetown University School of Medicine, teaching medical students and residents.

Dr. Levine takes time to explain each patient’s diagnosis and treatment options, so the patient can be an informed partner in decision-making. His focus is on providing individualized care for each patient based on their specific needs and goals. He enjoys building relationships with patients so they feel confident and comfortable before proceeding with surgery.
Afamefuna Nduaguba, MD
MedStar Washington Hospital Center
Mitchellville

Afamefuna Nduaguba, MD

Dr. Nduaguba is a fellowship-trained, board-eligible orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in total hip and total and partial knee replacement. His areas of special interest and expertise include:

Complex hip and knee replacement revisions

Hip and knee trauma

Complex hip dysplasia

Post-trauma osteoarthritis

Congenital hip deformities

Avascular necrosis

Developmental hip dysplasia

Orthopaedic infection control

Dr. Nduaguba has been published in several peer-reviewed journals, including Journal of AAOS Global, Journal of Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Journal of Sports Medicine, and Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, and has written a number of book chapters. He has also presented his research at conferences.

Dr. Nduaguba works to build a trust-based partnership with each patient and focuses on providing care for the whole person. He helps his patients understand all treatment options and educates them about how choosing joint replacement before pain and disability have a significant impact on the patient can improve quality of life.

When he's not working, Dr. Nduaguba enjoys spending time with family, cooking, music, and playing tennis and soccer.

Credentials:

Fellowship: New York University Langone Orthopedic Hospital/Insall Scott Kelly Institute, Adult Reconstructive Fellow, 2021

Residency: Yale-New Haven Health System, New Haven, CT, 2020

Medical degree: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MD, 2015

Philosophy of Care:
"I offer my patients the latest surgical and nonsurgical strategies to help them return to the activities they enjoy and a better quality of life. I take a patient-led approach to care with an emphasis on robotic-assisted and same-day discharge for total hip and knee replacements."

Education:
Fellowship Program: Emory University Hospital
Residency Program: University of Virginia Hospitals
Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine (2015)
Ahamefula Onyike, MD
MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center
Brandywine
White Plains

Ahamefula Onyike, MD

Dr. Aham Onyike, a member of the MedStar Orthopaedic Institute, is a board certified, fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon who specializes in hip and knee replacement. His areas of special expertise include complex joint problems, hip and knee replacement revision, sickle cell-related joint problems, avascular necrosis and other presentations in young people.

His approach to treating patients focuses on tailoring treatment and providing the best evidence-based care for each patient’s specific problem. He listens carefully to all of his patients so he can understand how their orthopedic problems affect them and involves them in choosing the treatment path that offers the best proven option to achieve the best outcome.

Dr. Onyike has presented at U.S. and international conferences and is widely published in peer-reviewed orthopedic journals. He is also a reviewer for Clinical Orthopedics and Related Research.

In addition to treating patients, Dr. Onyike is very involved with humanitarian work. He founded and leads a non-profit foundation, Operation Stand-Walk-Run. They have also established 2 hospitals in Nigeria (Center for Advanced Specialty Surgery). Through the foundation and hospitals, he and his team have undertaken a number of medical missions to Africa, where he has provided state-of-the-art orthopedic care to children and adults with various orthopaedic afflictions. In 2019, he was named a Humanitarian Award winner by the Healthcare Corporation of America for this work.

Education
Board Certification: American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery
Fellowship Program: Virginia Commonwealth University
Graduate Education: Virginia Commonwealth University
Internship/Residency: Howard University Hospital
Graduate Education: Howard University Hospital
Medical School: Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Kevin Park, MD
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
MedStar Montgomery Medical Center
Chevy Chase
Gaithersburg
McLean

Kevin Park, MD

Dr. Park is a fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon who specializes in total hip and total and partial knee replacement. His areas of special interest and expertise include:

Primary total hip and total and partial knee arthroplasty

Complex primary and revision total joint arthroplasty

Direct superior and direct anterior approaches to total hip arthroplasty

Minimally-invasive total joint arthroplasty

Robotic- and computer-assisted total joint arthroplasty

Dr. Park has been published in several peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the American Journal of Sports Medicine, and Orthopedics and has presented his research at numerous conferences.

He takes the time to ensure he fully understands each patient’s goals so he can develop a personalized care plan to help them get back to an active, fulfilling lifestyle. Dr. Park educates each of his patients about all available treatment options, both surgical and non-surgical, to help them be active partners in decisions about their care and make informed decisions about their treatment.

When he’s not at work, Dr. Park enjoys spending time with his wife and children, golfing, hiking, and cooking.

Education:
Fellowship Program: Cleveland Clinic
Residency Program: Beaumont Health System
Medical School: Washington University School of Medicine
Angela Tomaschko, MD
MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center
Alexandria
Brandywine
Lake Ridge

Angela Tomaschko, MD

Dr. Angela Tomaschko is a fellowship trained, board certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee surgery. Her areas of special interest and expertise include:

Hip and knee replacement

Knee arthroscopy

Partial and total knee replacement

Treatment of complex failed hip and knee replacements

Dr. Tomaschko believes in providing her patients with a care plan that works with their specific goals and expectations. She offers both surgical and non-surgical approaches to treatment that help get patients back to a life they enjoy and the activities they love.

She served in the U.S. Navy and was an orthopedic surgeon at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center at Fort Meade, treating active duty military members, their dependents, and military retirees. She was also a Staff Surgeon, teaching orthopedic residents at those institutions.

Outside of work, Dr. Tomaschko enjoys hiking, biking, skiing, and traveling.

Education:
Board Certification: American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery
Fellowship Program: Holy Cross Hospital
Residency Program: Naval Medical Center San Diego
Internship Program: Naval Medical Center San Diego
Medical School: Boston University School of Medicine
Kenneth M. Vaz, MD
MedStar Montgomery Medical Center
Chevy Chase
McLean

Kenneth M. Vaz, MD

Dr. Kenneth Vaz is an adult reconstruction orthopedic surgeon. His areas of special interest and expertise include:

Partial and total knee replacement

Hip replacement

Hip and knee replacement revision

Treatment of complex failed hip and knee replacements

Dr. Vaz completed his orthopaedic surgery training, including a dedicated year of lab research, at the University of California - San Diego, where he was awarded the inaugural senior resident teaching award as a chief resident. After completing his medical degree and residency, he underwent fellowship specialist training in adult reconstruction at Scripps Clinic in San Diego, one of the top 10 hospitals for orthopedics in the U.S., where he was trained in the latest techniques in primary hip and knee replacement. Dr. Vaz then did an additional year of specialist training in the UK at the world-renowned Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, an academic affiliate of the University of Oxford. While at Oxford, Dr. Vaz was trained extensively in implanting and evaluating partial knee replacements and the treatment of complex failed and infected hip and knee replacements within the Nuffield's Bone Infection Unit, the only unit of its kind in the UK.

Dr. Vaz focuses on meeting the needs of patients at every point in the joint replacement process, including patients who are considering their first-time joint replacement options and those who are continuing to have difficulty after undergoing a joint replacement. He is ready to discuss all options with patients, from non-operative treatments including medical therapy and injections to surgical options including partial or total knee replacement, hip replacement, and revision hip and knee replacement.

Outside of the office, he enjoys spending time with his wife and son, watching Georgetown Hoyas basketball, and spending time in the kitchen.

Education:
Board Certification: American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery
Fellowship Program: Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre
Fellowship Program: Scripps Clinic
Residency Program: University of California San Diego Medical Center
Internship Program: University of California San Diego Medical Center
Medical School: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine