During knee replacement surgery, a metal or plastic artificial joint is used to replace all or part of your natural knee. Surgery is a big step that takes time to recover from, but it can give you long-lasting relief that usually lasts for the rest of your life.
According to Biren Nadkarni, MD, senior consultant orthopedic and joint replacement surgeon at Sitaram Bhartia Institute and Holy Family Hospital in New Delhi, India, knee replacement surgery is not recommended unless the pain is severe and affecting your everyday life. Is given. He adds, knee replacement surgery may be the next logical option if conservative treatments fail to provide you relief and your quality of life is being significantly affected by your knee discomfort.
the pain is constant
If you have discomfort walking, exercising, standing, sitting, climbing stairs, or even sleeping at night, it’s time to consider a knee replacement.
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Your ability to move and sleep normally may be affected by the pain. Your knees are swollen, hard and sore in the rain. Bones can wear down or rub against each other in your joint. Knee replacement surgery can provide relief from this pain.
knee deformity
If you have a lot of knee trouble, you may notice that your legs are bending inward or outward because of the arthritis. The knee may become bent or ‘knock-kneed’ as arthritis worsens. If this type of deformity progresses over time, knee replacement may be necessary.
According to Biren Nadkarni, “Individuals with arthritis may also lose the ability to straighten their knees. If this occurs, you should be evaluated with an orthopedic surgeon because this lack of mobility can persist throughout life, even if the knee In addition, you may notice that your knee has reduced range of motion, making it difficult (or impossible) for you to fully straighten or bend your knee. Surgery can restore your range of motion and realign the joints.
your movement is becoming more and more restricted
As you age, it is normal to experience some loss of flexibility in your joints. However, chronic knee stiffness that limits your movement may be a sign of a more serious knee problem. When talking about knee replacement surgery, the following are the most common problems with mobility that we see in our patients:
- knee stiffness that requires the use of a cane or other mobility aid
- Difficulty walking or climbing stairs, getting up from chairs, or getting in and out of the bathtub
- morning stiffness in the knee that lasts for 30 minutes
- knee stiffness that gets worse after sitting for long periods of time, such as during long car rides or at the movies
The fact that losing mobility can affect more than just your ability to move is one of the most important things to keep in mind in this situation. When mobility decreases, inactivity increases. Additionally, your muscle strength and joint function may deteriorate with your reduced mobility. If you lose a lot of strength and function, you may not fully benefit from knee replacement because your body may not be able to heal efficiently.
other pain relief fails
You can begin treating knee joint pain with over-the-counter options or use prescription lotions and ointments that are applied to the skin to ease discomfort. We postpone knee replacement surgery for as long as possible and manage your pain with minimally invasive procedures, said Biren Nadkarni. Before considering surgery, your doctor may also try other treatments, such as corticosteroid injections or hyaluronic acid shots. These treatments are often not a long-term solution, but they can temporarily reduce discomfort and improve how easily your joints move. We can also advise you on changes to make at home such as increasing your activity level and reducing any excess weight that puts too much pressure on your painful knee joint.
If none of these treatments work well for you, it may be time to think about having your knee replaced.
Source: IANS
