When to Consider Knee Replacement Surgery

Knee replacement is a big decision. For many people, knee pain improves with simpler care, so surgery is usually considered only after other options have been tried.

What to try before surgery

• Pain relief medicines and anti-inflammatory treatment, as advised by your doctor
• Physiotherapy and exercises that strengthen the thigh and hip muscles
• Weight management, which reduces the load on the knees
• Walking aids, supportive footwear and changes to daily activity
• Injections in some cases, when your doctor feels they suit your knee

Signs that it may be time to talk about knee replacement

• Pain that stays despite weeks or months of treatment
• Pain that disturbs your sleep or occurs even at rest
• Difficulty with simple tasks such as walking, standing up from a chair or climbing stairs
• Knee stiffness or swelling that keeps returning
• Visible bending of the knee (bow legs or knock knees)
• X-rays that show the joint cartilage is badly worn

How the decision is made

Your doctor looks at your history, examines the knee and reviews X-rays. The decision depends on how much pain you have, how it affects your daily life, your overall health and your own preferences. Age alone is not the deciding factor.

Questions worth asking at a consultation

• What is causing my knee pain, and can it be treated without surgery?
• What are the benefits and risks of surgery for me?
• What does recovery involve, and how long will it take?
• What happens if I wait?

What knee replacement involves

In knee replacement surgery, the damaged surfaces of the knee joint are removed and replaced with artificial parts, called an implant, made to move smoothly. In a total knee replacement the surfaces of the thigh bone and shin bone are replaced. In a partial knee replacement only the worn part of the knee is replaced. Which option may suit you depends on how much of the joint is affected, and your surgeon will explain this after examining you and looking at your scans.

What the doctor checks at a consultation

• Your story. When the pain started, what makes it better or worse, and how far you can walk before it stops you.
• Your knee. Swelling, movement, stiffness, alignment and how steady the knee feels.
• Your scans. X-rays are usually the first step and show how much joint space is left. An MRI may be added in some cases.
• Your general health. Other conditions and medicines matter for planning any surgery.
• What you have already tried. Exercise, medicines, injections or walking aids, and how they helped.

Common questions

Do I need knee replacement if my X-ray looks bad? Not always. An X-ray shows the joint, but the decision also depends on your pain, how much it limits daily life, and how you respond to other treatment.

Can I wait? Many people manage for a while with non-surgical care. Your doctor can tell you what to watch for, such as pain that is getting worse or a knee that is limiting more of your day.

Are both knees done together? This varies from person to person and is a decision for you and your surgeon, based on your health and the state of each knee.

Is it right for everyone with knee arthritis? No. Surgery is usually considered when other treatment has not helped enough and the joint is badly affected.

Practical tips while you decide

• Keep a short note of your pain, sleep and walking distance for a couple of weeks, so the doctor can see the pattern.
• Bring all earlier X-rays, MRI reports and prescriptions to the visit.
• Bring a family member if you like, so they can hear the same advice.
• Take your time. A second opinion is a reasonable thing to ask for.

Consult Dr. Ankkur Kumar in Pimple Saudagar, Pune

Read more about knee replacement surgery in Pune, robotic knee replacement, knee pain treatment and knee pain when climbing stairs. If knee pain is limiting your life, you can book a consultation at the orthopaedic clinic in Pimple Saudagar.

This article is general information and is not a substitute for a medical examination.