Who is a good candidate for total knee replacement surgery?

If you’ve been dealing with severe knee pain and swelling, you may be wondering if you need knee replacement surgery. It’s a big decision, but it may help to know that the procedure is very common in the United States. Each year, surgeons perform about 790,000 total knee replacement surgeries.

The procedure is also quite successful: More than 90 percent of total knee replacements still function well after 15 years . People of all ages can benefit from a knee replacement. The procedure is most often performed in older persons with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. But it may also be necessary for a young person with early onset arthritis. In addition, knee replacement can treat post-traumatic arthritis, which can happen after a serious knee injury.

At Beebe Healthcare, our orthopaedic care team specializes in total knee replacement surgery. If you’re considering the procedure but aren’t sure if it’s right for you, here are some signs that you might be a good candidate.

1. NONSURGICAL TREATMENTS NO LONGER HELP YOUR PAIN.

Arthritis is the most common cause of chronic knee pain. It happens when the cartilage that lines the knee joint is damaged or wears down.

If you’ve been dealing with knee pain or stiffness for a long time, you’ve probably already tried conservative treatments like medication, physical therapy, steroid injections, or hyaluronic acid injections (viscosupplementation). Those treatments may have worked for a while, but if they no longer do, your doctor might recommend total knee replacement surgery.

2. KNEE PAIN OR STIFFNESS LIMITS YOUR EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES.

When you have chronic knee pain, many routine activities may become nearly impossible. For example, you might have trouble walking short distances or even sitting down and standing up. You may need to use a cane or walker.

If knee pain limits you in your daily life — and even bothers you when you’re sleeping — you may want to talk to your doctor about a total knee replacement.

3. YOU HAVE CHRONIC KNEE INFLAMMATION OR SWELLING.

Frequent swelling is a sign that your knee isn’t responding to other treatments, such as anti-inflammatory medications. If rest, ice, and medication aren’t controlling inflammation, it might be time for a knee replacement.

4. YOU SUSTAINED AN INJURY OR HAVE A JOINT DEFORMITY.

Sometimes, you may need a joint replacement if you’ve had a severe knee fracture. This type of injury can damage the cartilage that lines the knee joint, resulting in post-traumatic arthritis. A bad fracture can also cut off blood supply to the bones of the knee joint, eventually causing bone tissue to die (avascular necrosis).

In addition, you may need a knee replacement if you were born with a joint deformity that makes your knees bow in or out. Misaligned knees can eventually cause knee arthritis, as well as pain in other joints.

6. YOU’RE IN GOOD HEALTH OVERALL.

It’s important to be healthy, in general, before any surgery. To make sure you’re up for the procedure, your doctor will perform a physical exam and order some tests, like blood and urine tests and an electrocardiogram (EKG). If you have a chronic medical condition, such as heart disease, you may need a cardiologist to sign off before your surgery.

7. YOU’RE WILLING TO COMMIT TO PHYSICAL THERAPY AFTER YOUR SURGERY.

Physical therapy is a vital part of knee replacement recovery. You’ll need physical therapy two to three times a week for a few months after a total knee replacement.

Your physical therapist will teach you exercises to strengthen your leg so you can gradually regain normal knee movement and function. At Beebe Healthcare, we can provide physical therapy in your home or at one of our physical rehabilitation offices in Sussex County.

If you’re interested in knee replacement surgery, talk to your primary care provider about getting a referral to an orthopaedic specialist near you. Need a primary care provider? Call 302-645-3332 to schedule an appointment with a Beebe doctor.