Do your knees hurt so bad that you can't seem to get up the stairs without extreme discomfort or even walk down the street without severe pain? Various conditions, including osteoarthritis, can lead to chronic knee pain, often worsening without treatment.
Home treatments such as ice, heat, and anti-inflammatory medications may help for a short time. Still, when the pain persists, you may need a knee replacement.
Knee replacement surgery can be a life-changing treatment for people with severe knee joint damage to restore function and reduce pain.
If you're considering knee replacement surgery, Dr. Brandon Downs and the team at Orthopaedic Specialists can help you decide if it's the correct treatment route for your needs.
Dr. Downs is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in joint replacement surgery for people with severe pain and debilitating joint problems.
Knee replacement surgery is a standard procedure that involves replacing the natural joint with an artificial one. Many people living with severe arthritis in the knee require a knee replacement.
The goal of knee replacement surgery is to eliminate chronic pain from the joint and improve functionality. Damaged knee joints make walking, running, or even going up a flight of steps difficult.
Because a knee replacement is an invasive procedure, Dr. Downs doesn't typically suggest it as the first treatment for knee pain. He often recommends physical therapy, activity modification, and joint injections for pain relief.
However, if knee pain persists despite conservative treatments and you're struggling with everyday activities, a knee replacement might be the next step in treatment.
You are under either general or regional anesthesia for knee replacement surgery. After you're asleep and comfortable, Dr. Downs makes an incision in the knee joint. He then uses specialized tools to remove damaged tissue and bone.
Once he cleans the joint out, he takes measurements of the joint to determine the correct size prosthetic for your knee. The prosthetics are either ceramic, medical grade plastic, or metal, and sometimes a mix of all three.
After sizing the prosthetic, Dr. Downs inserts it into the joint and ensures proper placement with an X-ray. He then secures the prosthetic in place with bone cement and screws. The result is a brand-new prosthetic knee joint that works and moves like the natural one.
You may wonder when a knee replacement is an option for knee pain. It's an invasive procedure and not typically the first treatment method. However, Dr. Downs may recommend a knee replacement if you have any of the following signs:
Specific injuries, forms of arthritis, and congenital abnormalities may lead to a deformity in the knee joint. Over time, these deformities cause significant pain and joint damage, which we can fix with a total or partial knee replacement.
Pain severe enough to interfere with your everyday activities is brutal to deal with, especially when you've tried other therapies without success.
A knee replacement removes the damage within the joint to provide better movement and less discomfort from injuries or wear and tear.
Swelling in the knee that doesn't get better with rest and elevation could be a sign of severe damage in the joint. The best way to repair severe damage is through a knee replacement and prosthetic knee joint.
It's not uncommon to have pain after exercise or walking when you have arthritis or joint damage. However, you could benefit from a knee replacement if the pain still affects you while sitting down or sleeping.
Knee pain that persists despite trying physical therapy, medications, and joint injections could be a sign of a more significant issue. A knee replacement is a great option when your pain doesn't improve, and you want long-term relief.
To find out if a knee replacement is the next step for your knee pain, call Orthopaedic Specialists today or request an appointment with Dr. Downs using the convenient booking tool on the website.
