As we all know ‘Age’ is the most common excuse for holding back any surgery. Even today most adults suffer from excruciating pain for extended periods instead of opting replacement procedures! Decision of undergoing knee replacement surgery may need significant consideration keeping in mind the level of pain, physical function, weight, severity of arthritis along with overall health condition.
No wonder right timing is the key to maximizing benefits from the procedure. However, an orthopedic surgeon can help patients in making timely decision.
Read the below mentioned article, if you are wondering what factors could make someone likely for undergoing a knee replacement surgery.
1. Medications are no longer helpful
Not all knee pain needs surgery! It takes time to evaluate the effectiveness of medications, exercises and physical therapy that are combined to provide relief from pain. Inflammation in the knee caused due to advanced arthritis may not get better with such practices, which may certainly lead to knee replacement surgery. After the procedure, many patients experience less pain and almost all other discomfort subsides for younger ones.
2. Persistent Stiffness and swelling
Gout is a complex symptom of arthritis! People having arthritis usually suffer from gout-like swelling in the knees that leads to cracking-sound and severe stiffness. Generally, this is not a considerable reason to go through a knee replacement surgery, but the procedure can help out in removing the inflamed tissue that causes such damage.
3. Knee has Deformed
Deformation due to injuries is rare, but can happen to anyone! In such cases the knee joint either bows in or out. Similarly, it becomes deformed in case of rheumatoid arthritis where along with the knee, other joints in toe, legs, and hand gets equally affected. If you start to feel severe deformity, talk with the doctor as in the long run it can create complications in the surgery. Knee replacement can restrict extensive deformation, if performed timely.
4. Difficulty performing everyday task
Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or post-traumatic arthritis affect the knee through different mechanisms. Nevertheless, the result in loss of cartilage leading to intense pain and loss of motion remains more or less the same. The damage interferes in performing everyday tasks, such walking, lifting, getting out of bed or a chair, or climbing stairs. In such cases, knee replacement surgery is a good option to replace worn out surfaces of the knee.
5. Seeking long-lasting relief
In today’s scenario, the implant used in knee replacement surgery has improved a lot from what it used to be in the early days. It is believed that people within the age group of 50-80 years are ideal to go through the implant and can work well even twenty years after the surgery. In the end, physical activity and preventive measures taken by the patients both affect the life of artificial knee joints.
How long does it take to recover from a knee replacement?
Usually, it takes three to six months to get back to normalcy after surgery. For most people with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, it may take six to twelve months to regain full strength and to perform regular activities. In addition, the recovery depends on certain factors like;
- Age of a person
- Knee health (before the surgery)
- Damage of the knee joint
- Pre-health conditions like (diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis)
Such things can affect the overall healing process. Every individual’s rehabilitation is tailored depending on his/her health. If someone is already suffering from arthritis, hypertension, diabetes, or cardiac-diseases, the recovery may take extra time than usual. However, these days minimal invasive procedures and physiotherapy techniques help a lot in easy and painless recovery to the patients who have gone through the replacement procedure.
Struggling with severe hip pain? Ignoring persistent pain or discomfort may likely increase the complications affecting normal lifestyle. To find out the appropriate treatment option for you, contact a specialist. Dr. Mayank Chauhan is a renowned Noida-based orthopedic surgeon serving patients with effective surgical and non-surgical procedures and can help you with personalized care plans for your hip pain. Book your appointment today!
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