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6-Week Recovery After Muscle- and Tendon-Sparing, Kinematically Aligned Cementless Total Knee Replacement

This patient is just 6 weeks after a muscle- and tendon-sparing (subvastus), kinematically aligned, cementless total knee replacement performed by Dr. Austin Nabet for severe bone-on-bone knee osteoarthritis with a significant bow-legged (varus) knee deformity.

The procedure was performed using Dr. Nabet’s Opioid-Sparing Rapid Recovery Joint Replacement Protocol, which is designed to minimize postoperative pain, encourage early mobility, reduce reliance on opioid medications, and help patients return to their normal lives as quickly and safely as possible.

This patient’s recovery at only 6 weeks:

  • Walking independently without a cane
  • Pain medication required for only 2 days after surgery
  • Excellent quadriceps strength and function
  • Smooth, natural gait
  • Significant pain relief and restoration of everyday function

Why Dr. Nabet Performs Muscle-Sparing, Kinematically Aligned Knee Replacement

Modern total knee replacement is about more than simply replacing worn cartilage—it’s about restoring how the knee functions.

Dr. Nabet utilizes a muscle- and tendon-sparing subvastus approach, helping preserve the quadriceps mechanism by avoiding disruption of the extensor mechanism whenever appropriate. This approach is combined with kinematic alignment, a personalized technique that restores each patient’s native knee anatomy rather than placing every knee into the same standardized position.

For many patients, this combination may provide:

  • Less soft tissue disruption
  • Less postoperative pain
  • Earlier quadriceps activation
  • Faster functional recovery
  • A more natural-feeling knee
  • Earlier return to walking and daily activities

In appropriate patients, Dr. Nabet also performs cementless total knee replacement, allowing the patient’s own bone to biologically grow into the implant for long-term fixation.

Every patient’s recovery is unique, and results depend on many factors, including overall health, bone quality, commitment to rehabilitation, and the severity of arthritis before surgery. However, this video demonstrates what is possible with modern surgical techniques, advanced implant technology, careful patient selection, and a comprehensive rapid recovery program.

If you are living with bone-on-bone knee arthritis, chronic knee pain, or a bow-legged (varus) knee deformity, and want to learn whether you are a candidate for muscle-sparing, kinematically aligned, cementless total knee replacement, schedule a consultation with Dr. Austin Nabet, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee replacement in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and throughout Hampton Roads.

Muscle & tendon sparing subvastus, personalized kinematically aligned total knee replacement, a modern approach for a more natural feeling knee

Severe knock-knee valgus deformity and bone-on-bone osteoarthritis can make every step painful.

This 46-year-old patient with debilitating left knee pain from severe knock-knee valgus deformity 9 days post operative from a subvastus muscle- and tendon-sparing, kinematically aligned rapid recovery knee replacement to correct deformity, relieve pain, and restore motion.

At just 9 days after surgery, the result?

  • Pain medication for only 2days
  • Walking normal with no cane
  • Normal quad muscle function & strength

This is why modern muscle-sparing knee replacement and kinematically aligned total knee replacement are changing what recovery can look like for the right patient.

Rather than forcing every knee into the same position, kinematic alignment is designed to match the patient’s native anatomy and help create a more natural-feeling knee after surgery.

Benefits may include:

  • Reduced soft tissue disruption
  • Less pain after surgery
  • Faster functional recovery
  • More natural knee movement

Dr. Austin Nabet offers advanced solutions for patients with knee osteoarthritis, valgus knee arthritis, deformity correction, and rapid recovery total knee replacement.

If you are living with chronic knee pain and wondering whether surgery can feel more natural and recover faster, this may be the option you’ve been looking for.

Muscle & tendon sparing subvastus, individualized kinematically aligned total knee replacement, a modern approach for a more natural feeling knee

From bone-on-bone misery to moving like herself again in just weeks, this 62-year-old woman had lived with crippling right knee pain for years—severe knock-knee valgus deformity had ground her joint down to bone-on-bone osteoarthritis. Every step hurt. Until she chose a different path.

Dr. Austin Nabet performed a muscle- and tendon-sparing subvastus kinematically aligned rapid-recovery knee replacement that respected her body’s natural anatomy instead of forcing it into a "standard" position.

The result?

  • Only 3 days of pain medication
  • Discharged from physical therapy at 3 weeks
  • Full return to her pre-arthritis range of motion

No big incisions through muscle. No forced "straight" knee that never felt right. Just a knee that feels like hers again.

Tired of knee pain stealing your life? There’s a smarter, more natural way forward. Dr. Austin Nabet’s approach combines subvastus muscle-sparing technique with true kinematic alignment—the modern gold standard that restores your knee’s original alignment, motion, and feel.

Why patients are choosing this:

  • Zero muscles or tendons cut
  • Dramatically less post-op pain
  • Lightning-fast recovery and return to daily life
  • Natural knee kinematics so it bends, twists, and moves the way it was meant to

If you’re done with "just live with it" or one-size-fits-all knee replacements, this is the difference that actually changes everything.

muscle & tendon sparing subvastus, kinematically aligned knee replacement, a modern approach for a more natural feeling knee

This 69-year-old male with debilitating left knee pain from bone on bone osteoarthritis underwent a muscle and tendon sparing subvastus kinematically aligned knee replacement, discharge from therapy at 4 weeks after surgery, achieving his pre-arthritis knee range of motion!

Struggling with Knee Pain?

There’s a better, more natural option.

Dr. Austin Nabet specializes in muscle- and tendon-sparing subvastus, kinematically aligned knee replacement, a modern approach that preserves your anatomy and restores your knee’s natural motion.

By combining muscle and tendon sparing techniques with kinematic alignment, this advanced procedure is designed to deliver a more natural-feeling knee, less pain, and a faster recovery.

  • No muscles or tendons cut
  • Less post-operative pain
  • Rapid recovery & quicker return to daily activities
  • Kinematic alignment for more natural knee motion and function

Muscle-Sparing Anterior Hip Replacement | Less Pain & Faster Recovery

This 57-year-old female with debilitating right hip pain from bone on bone hip osteoarthritis underwent a muscle and tendon sparing direct anterior right hip replacement, returning to work in just under nine days after surgery!

Struggling with Hip Pain?

There’s a better option.

Dr. Austin Nabet performs a muscle- and tendon-sparing direct anterior hip replacement designed to reduce pain and help patients recover faster.

  • No muscles or tendons cut
  • Less post-operative pain
  • Faster recovery & quicker return to daily activities
  • More natural hip function with modern implant positioning

Left muscle & tendon sparing subvastus knee replacement utilizing a kinematic alignment technique

44 year old male with bilateral post-traumatic knee arthritis after multiple failed knee surgeries now post-operative from left muscle and tendon sparing subvastus knee replacement utilizing a kinematic alignment technique by Dr. Nabet.

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Locations & Directions
1800 Camelot Drive,
Suite 300
Virginia Beach, VA 23454
6160 Kempsville Circle,
Suite 200B (PM&R Suite 110A)
Hampton Roads, VA 23502