Knee Replacement
Total or Partial Knee Replacement
Knee pain, injury or arthritis can be debilitating. When suffering from knee pain, it becomes difficult to perform even the most basic functions like walking and climbing stairs. Healthy, life-enhancing activities that were too painful to do before surgery, like golf and tennis, yoga, weight lifting, and aerobics; can be performed relatively pain-free after recovery from knee replacement surgery.
Over 600,000 knee replacements are performed every year in the US. It is one of the most successful procedures in orthopedics. Surgery is recommended for patients who suffer with chronic knee pain and disability.
Who is a good candidate?
Patients with:
- Severe knee pain or stiffness that substantially interferes with everyday activities
- Knee pain that occurs while resting
- Chronic knee inflammation and swelling that does not respond to medication or rest
- When conservative treatments like medications, cortisone injections, lubricating injection physical therapy or other surgery fails to improve the condition
- X-Rays demonstrating significant arthritic changes
Expectations about what knee replacement can do
- What you can expect from knee replacement surgery, in up to 90% of cases, patients have significant improvement in pain which allows the ability to perform the daily activities of life
- You may not be able to resume high impact activities like running or jogging
- You can swim, golf, drive, hike, bike, dance and perform other low impact sports
- Travel is not affected except for the 4-6 weeks after surgery due to an increased risk of blood clots
- There may be some residual pain, stiffness and swelling
- Knee replacement will last many years with activity modification
How long will the joint replacement last?
Total knee joint replacement can last up to 5-20 years, or more.
Are there any restrictions after surgery?
Yes, it may be uncomfortable to kneel on the knee. Heavy labor may be difficult.
How long does it take to recovery from knee replacement surgery?
Recovery is relatively short. Recovery can take up to 3 months to heal and return to normal daily activities. But, you will be up and walking with assistance even before you leave the hospital.
Successful surgery is dependent on the surgeon’s skills, as well as the patient’s health and commitment to physical therapy. That is why you want to see board certified orthopedic specialists like the surgeons at Orthopedic Associates of Northern California.
The first step in deciding to purse a knee replacement is to meet with the knee specialists. We will complete a thorough evaluation and suggest conservative pain control, including physical therapy and medication, before recommending joint replacement, in most cases. However, where knee pain is severe, and knee cartilage is destroyed causing bone on bone pain, the only effective solution may be knee replacement.
Knee replacement is safe, effective, and can restore normal knee function. The key to a successful recovery is physical therapy. Physical therapy will help to improve range of motion and muscle strength.
Learn more about total or partial knee replacement surgery.
Knee pain can be debilitating, and without intervention, will most likely only get worse over time. The first step in feeling better is to schedule a medical evaluation with one of the orthopedic surgeons at Orthopedic Associates of Northern California, a leading provider of orthopedic care in Chico and Paradise, CA. If you’re interested in learning more about knee surgery, call our office at 530-897-4500 and schedule your evaluation today.
