Knee Replacement & Knee Arthritis Care with Dr. Douglas Petraco
If knee pain from arthritis or joint damage is limiting how you walk, work, or sleep, Dr. Douglas Petraco offers advanced knee replacement care at his Riverhead office. A board-certified orthopedic surgeon and Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Dr. Petraco focuses specifically on hip and knee joint replacement — so a knee patient in Riverhead is seeing a surgeon who performs these procedures routinely, not occasionally.
When Knee Replacement Is Considered
Most knee replacements begin with arthritis — usually osteoarthritis — that has worn down the cartilage cushioning the joint. When pain, stiffness, and lost mobility no longer respond to conservative measures like activity changes, weight management, physical therapy, or injections, joint replacement becomes an option worth discussing. Dr. Petraco evaluates each knee individually and recommends surgery only when it’s the right step for your stage of arthritis and your goals.
Robotic & Partial Knee Replacement (MAKOplasty)
When arthritis affects only one compartment of the knee, a partial knee replacement can resurface just the damaged area while preserving the healthy bone, cartilage, and ligaments around it. Dr. Petraco was instrumental in bringing MAKOplasty robotic partial knee resurfacing to St. Charles Hospital. The robotic-assisted approach uses a patient-specific plan and real-time guidance to position the implant precisely, which can mean a smaller incision and a more natural-feeling knee for the right candidates.
Total Knee Replacement
When arthritis involves the whole joint, a total knee replacement removes the damaged surfaces and replaces them with implants that restore smooth, stable movement. Dr. Petraco emphasizes minimally invasive technique where appropriate to support a more comfortable recovery.
Knee Arthroscopy
For certain knee problems, knee arthroscopy — a minimally invasive procedure using small incisions and a camera — can be used to diagnose and treat the issue with less disruption to surrounding tissue and a quicker recovery.
ABOUT OUR DOCTOR
Why Riverhead Patients Choose Dr. Petraco for Knee Care
- Brought MAKOplasty robotic partial knee replacement to St. Charles Hospital
- Medical Director of Precision Care Surgery Center, offering same-day knee replacement
- Director of the Orthopedic Surgery Department at St. Charles Hospital and Orthopedic Service Line Director for Catholic Health Services
- Trained at Yale, Cornell University Medical College, and The Hospital for Joint Diseases / NYU Langone, where he served as executive chief resident
- Part of Orthopedic Associates of Long Island (OALI)
Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Petraco sees knee patients at the Riverhead office at 715 Roanoke Avenue, Building A, Suite 3. He also has offices in Wading River and East Setauket.
A partial knee replacement resurfaces only the damaged compartment of the knee and preserves the healthy parts of the joint, while a total knee replacement replaces all of the worn surfaces. Dr. Petraco helps determine which is appropriate based on where and how far the arthritis has progressed.
In many cases, yes. As Medical Director of Precision Care Surgery Center, Dr. Petraco performs ambulatory knee replacement that allows appropriate candidates to recover at home the same day.
It is a robotic-assisted technique that uses a patient-specific surgical plan and real-time guidance to position the implant precisely. Dr. Petraco brought MAKOplasty robotic partial knee resurfacing to St. Charles Hospital.
Not necessarily. Surgery is considered when conservative options no longer control pain and loss of function. Dr. Petraco evaluates each knee individually before recommending replacement.
