Top Reasons To Consider Knee Replacement Surgery
Knee pain brought about by osteoarthritis, knee injury, and other types of knee problems can be debilitating, which could affect how a person moves and performs everyday tasks. When all conventional efforts have been exhausted, a final option to consider is knee replacement surgery.
In this article, you will learn what knee replacement surgery is all about and the top reasons for considering this form of treatment.
What Is Knee Replacement Surgery?
Knee replacement surgery, also known as knee arthroplasty, is an invasive surgical procedure to replace a knee damaged beyond repair by osteoarthritis. It involves removing tissue from the affected joint through an incision under the kneecap. This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, usually under general anesthesia.
Knee replacement is often necessary for those whose knees have been severely injured. When you go in for a total knee operation, you will be given a list of possible complications that could result from the surgery, such as infection, blood clots, clotting, bruising and joint dislocation. All of these complications must be taken into consideration when you make your final decision.
Patients with severe knee problems are generally advised to undergo knee replacement surgery by Altenburg Joint Replacement Surgery to improve quality of life and avoid complications later on.
Types Of Knee Replacement Surgery
When considering options, patients should always talk with their doctor before making a decision regarding any type of surgery.
There are two major kinds of knee surgery: a partial knee replacement and total knee replacement.
- A partial knee replacement is also referred to as unicondylar knee replacement, which involves replacing only the affected knee compartment. A total knee replacement, on the other hand, involves replacing all three knee compartments.
- A total knee replacement involves removing the entire joint, which is replaced with an artificial joint. A partial knee replacement only involves removal of the medial/inside knee compartments or lateral/outside knee compartments, which are also replaced with artificial parts.
- Partial knee arthroplasty is performed on the outside of the thighbone but it doesn’t remove the quadriceps muscle. Instead, this procedure removes the part of the femur where it attaches. The surgeon does not remove the patella in partial replacement surgery. This means that the surgeon does not remove the outer layer of the knee.
- Total knee replacement involves removing the quadriceps muscle and the patella as well. This method was initially used to repair the patella, when severely damaged from a herniation or dislocation.
Top Reasons To Consider Knee Replacement Surgery
While the procedure may not seem life changing to some people, for example someone who doesn’t enjoy walking, running or performing daily activities, the benefits of a new knee joint can mean the difference between an active lifestyle and a wheelchair.
Take a closer look at the following reasons to consider having a knee replacement surgery.
1. Knee Pain
The most common reason that people decide on a knee replacement is chronic knee pain. For some people, the pain can be so bad that it can interfere with their ability to carry out their normal daily activities. A doctor will carefully evaluate the patient’s risk of complications from a surgical procedure before allowing or suggesting it.
What are the causes of knee pain? It has become a very common symptom in people of all age groups. It can start suddenly, oftentimes after an accident or exercise, and is usually described as shooting, stabbing, aching, burning or numbing.
Here are some things you need to know about knee pain:
- Knee pain can start as a mild discomfort and slowly get worse over time. The most common causes of knee pain are arthritis, injury, stress, and repetitive motion.
- Knee joint stiffness is another common cause of pain in the knee. It occurs when there is too much friction between two bones. Friction means that the bones are rubbing against each other, causing damage. Strain of the tendon can also cause pain in the knee.
- Knee spurs are small bones that are formed in the joint area. Knee spurs are caused by the wear and tear on the knee. These are small tears in the cartilage. Spurs are caused by too much friction between bones of the knee and can be a source of severe pain.
- There are several reasons why you should consider knee replacement for chronic knee pain, the biggest of which is that of a healthy, active knee. This can reduce the risk of developing osteoarthritis, a disease where cartilage deteriorates, causing stiffness and pain.
2. Improve Mobility
The top reason why many people consider knee replacement surgery is to improve mobility. The decision to have a knee replacement is often motivated by the pain of arthritis and its effects on your ability to move around.
There are a variety of options available to patients who suffer from arthritis of the knee, including physical therapy, exercise, medication and other rehabilitation techniques. While knee replacement surgery may not provide an immediate cure for your condition, the treatment can extend your life for years to come.
Knee joint replacement surgery can significantly improve your quality of life and mobility. If you have an injury or deformity in your knee, you know how important having a new joint can be in ameliorating the situation.
3. Aesthetic Purposes
While some may not be as concerned with the aesthetics of a new knee joint, it is important to understand that aesthetic improvements can be just as important to some people as functional ones.
If your knee is severely injured, you may be forced to walk with a cane or splint. However, once the new knee joint is in place, this may not be necessary. You’ll no longer have to rely on a cane or need a splint, and you’ll have increased mobility, more fluid movement, improved gait and better balance; this will help you to look your best at all times.
4. Knee Injury
Knee replacement surgery may also be required if you suffer from a torn meniscus or a torn cartilage. Having a new knee joint will allow you to perform daily activities without pain and can even make the discomfort of a torn knee cap or torn cartilage go away altogether.
If you have ever felt any kind of swelling in the joint, this is a cause for concern. The swelling is usually caused when fluid accumulates, and this is normal when you are experiencing some kind of injury. Oftentimes this amounts to nothing, but if the swelling persists for longer than two days and worsens, you should see your doctor immediately.
5. Debilitating Arthritis
Arthritis occurs when the cartilage in the knee becomes worn down due to a repetitive motion like running or jumping. When the cartilage gets worn down, the bones start rubbing on each other more forcefully, which leads to a more intense pain.
If you are diagnosed with osteoarthritis, your doctor may refer you for an MRI scan to determine whether or not you have any damage to your knee. During this examination, a specialist will assess your condition and recommend either surgery or non-surgical treatment, depending on your situation.
Here are the following reasons why you should consider knee replacement for debilitating arthritis:
- Knee replacement surgery is typically used as a last resort, when all other forms of treatment fail. If you have tried every possible method to deal with your arthritis, including non-surgical and physical therapy and various anti-inflammatory medications then maybe you’ll have found something very beneficial. However, you may also find that there are some underlying issues which may be causing the pain, and that it would be better to see if a knee replacement is necessary.
- You may need to undergo a knee surgery for arthritis if you’ve found that your knee has started to swell. This swelling will occur because your joints are wearing out and fluid is collecting. If you find that your knees are becoming worn out too quickly, then this may be a sign to start looking into knee replacement surgery.
How To Choose A Knee Replacement Surgeon
Before choosing a doctor to perform your knee replacement surgery, make sure that he is board-certified. This means that he has performed many successful knee replacement operations, and that he officially knows what he’s doing. In addition, he should be able to explain the risks and benefits of the procedure thoroughly.
Conclusion
So, when should you consider knee replacement?
Consider undergoing a knee replacement if you have debilitating arthritis, severe knee pain because of knee injury, or your knee condition affects your daily routine and work. It isn’t a necessity for everyone, but if you’ve tried other forms of treatment and they haven’t been effective, then you don’t want to overlook the possibility that this operation could be a good option for you.
For the best results, you should first make an appointment for your physician to perform a physical exam and get you started on an anti-inflammatory medication, to help alleviate pain and inflammation.
