Any joint is susceptible to wear, tear, and damage — your knees in particular. As you age, your knees gradually wear down. Alternatively, if you live an active lifestyle, you might suffer an accident or impact that causes significant damage to your knee. If the degradation or damage to your knee is severe, you might need knee replacement surgery.
Read on to find out who can benefit from having a new knee.
Why Would I Need Knee Replacement?
Knee replacement surgery is a highly successful procedure for various knee problems. Orthopedic surgeons perform over 800,000 knee replacements in the United States alone. Knee prosthetics typically last for twenty years or more, depending on the patient’s level of physical activity.
Cartilage Loss
An orthopedic surgeon will primarily perform a knee replacement surgery (also called arthroplasty) to repair a knee that has lost significant amounts of cartilage. If a joint such as the knee loses too much cartilage, the bones in the joint will begin to grind against each other. The grinding can cause pain and wear down the bone further. As this progresses, the knee may “give way” when pressure is placed on it, or the bones could suffer even more damage.
Pain
Knee replacement surgery is also a viable treatment for knee pain. If you have a knee condition that causes enough pain that it severely impacts your quality of life and detracts from your ability to function daily, a knee replacement surgery might be your best option.
Developmental Problems
Knee replacement surgery is also beneficial as a corrective procedure. If a patient has deformities in their knee resulting from a developmental problem or injury, knee replacement surgery can help. The reason why it’s beneficial as a corrective surgery is that knee deformities (such as being bow-legged) can wear down or damage knee cartilage more quickly.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a relatively common condition affecting a large number of adults worldwide. It can affect any joint in your body, such as your hips, hands, spine, and knees. While arthritis is sometimes treatable using painkillers or medication, joint replacement surgery is the most effective treatment for severe arthritic damage. Arthritis patients are typically valid candidates for knee replacement. Depending on the severity of your condition, you might need a partial or total replacement.
Osteoarthritis Patients
There are many types of arthritis, but osteoarthritis is the most common one and affects many people worldwide. It’s also known as “wear and tear” arthritis, because it occurs over time, even without infections, injury, or external causes. The cartilage around your knee joint eventually degrades as you use your knees. The older you get, the more likely it is that you’ll develop osteoarthritis.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and swelling of the joints. The immune system of patients with rheumatoid arthritis mistakenly attacks their body’s soft tissues, causing chronic and disabling pain in patients when left untreated.
Injury
It might also be necessary to repair bones that have been damaged for various reasons, such as a physical injury. Like developmental problems, an injury can misalign or deform your knee, wearing down cartilage or irreparably damaging the bone. Active individuals, like athletes, are more prone to injuries, especially if they participate in contact or high-impact sports such as football or running.
Torn Meniscus
A torn meniscus can be caused by twisting or forcefully rotating the knee, or in some cases even from arthritis, causing painful swelling and inflammation. Not all meniscal tears require surgery. For instance, it might be enough to use physical therapy, rest, or arthroscopic surgery to repair the meniscus. However, if the meniscal tear is particularly severe, it may require joint replacement to ensure that your knee heals correctly. Knee replacement surgery can also help prevent other conditions from developing in the future.
Joint Replacement Centers in Kansas
Knee replacement surgery is a highly successful orthopedic treatment method for painful knees. It can help people suffering from a broad range of knee problems, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, developmental conditions, and even severe knee injuries. It’s also a viable solution to intractable and chronic knee pain. If you have a problem with your knees and medication, or conservative methods aren’t enough, it may be time to consult your doctor about knee replacement surgery.
If you have a painful or injured knee, it’s best to seek medical help immediately. If you are looking for a place to get your knee health assessed and treated, look no further than Midwest Orthopaedics, P.A. Our board-certified physicians together with our caring staff are ready to assist you with your orthopedic condition. You can expect us to be with you every step of the way, from diagnosis to recovery.
If you want to know more about us and our services, reach us at (913) 362-8317. You can also secure an appointment by using our online appointment request form. We look forward to serving you!
