Knee replacement: What it is and when do you need it
Knee replacement surgery is a big decision. It’s not something to be taken lightly, but if your knee pain significantly impacts your quality of life, it may be worth considering.
This blog post will explore knee replacement surgery and when you need it. Armed with this handy info, we hope you can make an informed decision about whether or not to proceed with surgery.
What is Mean By Knee Replacement?
Knee replacement surgery, a knee arthroplasty, is a surgical process that can relieve pain and allow your knee joints to work smoothly. Moreover, the process includes cutting away damaged bone and cartilage from your thighbone, shinbone and kneecap and swapping it with an artificial joint made up of metal and high-grade plastics.
Furthermore, partial knee replacement surgery is a less invasive alternative that may be an option if you have joint damage limited to one area of your knee.
Do you meet the criteria for a knee replacement?
If you are considering knee replacement surgery, first, you need to analyze whether you qualify for it. Generally speaking, you should fulfil two requirements. The first one is that you should have significant cartilage loss. Usually, doctors evaluate it by taking Knee X-rays.
Secondly, the loss or damage is bad enough to affect your daily routines and quality of life.
Tell Tale Signs You May Need a Knee Replacement
How to confirm whether you need knee replacement surgery or not? We understand it’s a personal decision, but some critical factors show that you need knee replacement surgery.
You have bad arthritis.
When you think of someone needing a knee replacement, you might picture an older person whose joints are worn down from years of use. But in reality, knee replacements are becoming more and more common in younger patients.
The two most common types of arthritis that lead to knee replacements are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis, in simple words, is a form of arthritis that usually comes with age.
Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, can occur at any age and is caused by an autoimmune disorder that attacks the joints. Both types of arthritis can cause joint pain and damage, making it difficult to walk or even stand for long periods.
A knee replacement might be suitable for you if you’re dealing with chronic pain due to arthritis.
Non-Effectiveness Of Nonsurgical treatments and Medicines
If you’ve been diagnosed with arthritis of the knee, you’re probably all too familiar with the pain and stiffness that can make even simple activities like walking or climbing stairs a challenge.
Fortunately, various home remedies and treatments are available to manage these symptoms. Medications, steroid injections and physical therapy can all be effective in reducing pain and improving mobility.
However, these conservative measures become less effective at some point and may not be enough. If that’s the case, you may want to consider knee replacement surgery.
Knee replacement surgery includes changing the damaged joint surfaces with artificial components called prostheses. This offers relief from knee pain and restores normal function.
While knee replacement surgery is a major procedure, it can offer a new lease on life for people with advanced arthritis of the knee.
Your Knee pain does not allow you to perform daily tasks
Knee pain is no joke. If you are dealing with it, you know that it can make even the simplest daily tasks a real pain in the…well, you know. Sometimes, over-the-counter medications and home remedies can help to ease the pain and keep it from interfering with your life too much.
But if those treatments aren’t providing relief and your knee pain is starting to impact your quality of life, it may be time to consider surgery. Of course, no one wants to go under the knife if they don’t have to.
But if conservative treatments and home remedies aren’t working and you are dealing with severe pain while running and walking, surgery may be the best option for you.
So if you’re dealing with knee pain that just won’t quit, talk to your doctor about whether surgery might be right for you.
You Suffer From Pain While resting.
Knee pain can make it difficult for us to walk, climb stairs, or even get out of bed in the morning. And if it’s keeping you awake at night, that’s just icing on the cake.
If you’ve been dealing with knee pain for a while and nothing else has worked, you might want to consider knee replacement surgery.
It’s a big decision, but if you’re in a lot of pain and nothing else has helped, it might be worth it.
You Witness Swollen Knees
If you’ve ever dealt with a swollen knee, you know the feeling all too well. The pain, stiffness, and general discomfort can make it tough to get through the day.
And, if you’re dealing with chronic swelling despite medication and injections, you may be a candidate for a total knee replacement.
A total knee replacement can provide relief from years of pain and swelling.
Your knees have become deformed.
If you’ve ever had a joint replaced, you know it’s not a fun experience. But for people with advanced arthritis, it can be a lifesaver. When the cartilage in your joints starts to wear down, it can cause the bones to rub against each other, causing pain and inflammation.
In severe cases, this can lead to deformities in the joints and loss of mobility. Knee replacement surgery is a common solution for these problems.
Patients can regain mobility and enjoy a pain-free life by replacing the damaged joint with an artificial one.
You are of a certain age.
If you’re over 60, there’s a good chance you’ll need a knee replacement at some point. And there’s an even better chance that your doctor will tell you this is because younger people are just too darn active for their good.
While it’s true that an active lifestyle can put extra stress and strain on an artificial knee, causing it to wear out faster, other factors also come into play.
For example, arthritis is more common in older adults, and this can lead to the deterioration of the knee joint. In addition, older adults are more likely to have had previous injuries or surgeries to the knee, weakening the joint and making it more susceptible to damage.
So while it may be tempting to blame your impending knee surgery on those young whippersnappers with their boundless energy, other factors are also involved.
In The End:
So, what have we learned? Knee replacement surgery is a severe and big decision, but it may be the best option for some people. If you’re experiencing knee pain and your quality of life is impacted, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor about whether or not a knee replacement is right for you.
