Knee replacement surgery, also known as knee arthroplasty, is a procedure for replacing a damaged knee joint. During a knee replacement surgery, an orthopedic surgeon will use special tools to remove and replace the joints with a prosthetic implant.
Knee replacement surgery is a fairly safe procedure, with an approximately 90 percent success rate. Nonetheless, it is not for everyone: your eligibility hinges on various factors, such as your age, overall health, and weight. The procedure may come as a last resort when all other conservative and less invasive options are ineffective at providing adequate relief.
The question as to whether a knee replacement surgery is right for you is something your surgeon can ascertain after a comprehensive evaluation.
Determining Whether You’re a Candidate for Knee Replacement
While the knee is the most commonly replaced joint in the body, your orthopedic surgeon won’t just make a hasty decision. Your age, overall health, medical history, and the specifics about your knee pain—its severity and impact on your quality of life—should be taken into consideration.
Your orthopedic surgeon will perform a physical exam to assess how your leg lines up and your knee’s range of motion, strength, and stability.
Your orthopedic surgeon will also order diagnostic imaging—X-ray and MRI—to get a better idea as to whether your bone is damaged or deformed. An MRI provides a more detailed look into your bone and the soft tissues around your knee. Blood work may also be required to either point to or rule out other causes of your knee pain.
If you’re living with obesity, your doctor will advise you to lose weight before considering surgery to reduce your risk of complications and maximize the function of your prosthetic joint after the procedure.
Signs That Indicate It Might Be Time for a Knee Replacement Surgery
Listed below are signs that you need knee replacement surgery. It pays to discuss these with your surgeon during your appointment.
- Crepitus (grating sensation in your knee joint)
- Difficulty standing up, walking, or climbing stairs
- Medication and using a cane aren’t delivering enough relief
- Nagging knee pain (that will keep you up at night)
- Previous injury to your anterior cruciate ligament (Your ACL is one of the key ligaments that provides stability to your knee.)
- Stiffness and limited mobility in your knee
Knee Replacement Surgery in Merriam, KS
Here at Midwest Orthopaedics, our board-certified orthopedic surgeons are known for their patient-centered approach and expertise in delivering effective treatment for a gamut of orthopedic injuries or conditions, such as those that affect the knee. Our orthopedic surgeons have performed numerous hip, shoulder, and knee replacement surgeries and helped dozens of our patients live normal, pain-free lives.
If you want to find out whether you’re a candidate for a knee replacement surgery, call us at (913) 362-8317 for an evaluation by any of our orthopedic surgeons. You may also use our secure online form. We look forward to providing you with the best in orthopedic care!
