A knee replacement operation is the most common joint replacement surgery that is performed in the United States. And while it is a relatively common procedure, knee surgeons agree that if you can prevent the need for a joint replacement procedure, it’s preferred to the replacement operation.
In order to prevent the need for a knee replacement, you should be aware of some of the signs and symptoms that a replacement may be in your future. Below, we take a closer look at five signs that suggest you may eventually need a knee replacement procedure so that you can take steps to mitigate this risk.
Signs You May Need A Knee Replacement In Your Future
While these symptoms are common in individuals who eventually undergo knee replacement surgery, these symptoms by no means guarantee that a replacement operation is in your future, especially if you resolve to take a proactive approach to treatment. With that in mind, here’s a look at five symptoms that suggest you should really focus on improving your knee health if you want to avoid the possibility of artificial knee replacement down the road.
- Worsening Pain – While knee pain is never “normal,” it does tend to become more common as you get older due to natural degeneration that can occur in the protective cartilage in your knee joint. When this cartilage breaks down, bone on bone contact can occur, making movement uncomfortable or downright painful. If your knee pain has continued to get worse over the last couple of months or years, it could be a sign that your knee degeneration is progressing, and without changes, you may eventually need surgery to reverse this damage.
- Mobility Loss – If knee discomfort is causing you to be less active or keeping you from pursuing activities you love, you’ll want to take steps to regain your mobility and active lifestyle. Conservative interventions and physical therapy can work wonders at keeping you active, but if you find that despite your best efforts, you’re shying away from activity, then restoring function and mobility through a replacement procedure may be your best bet.
- Conservative Care Isn’t Working – Piggybacking off the above point, if you’re really trying to combat knee issues with a combination of conservative treatments but nothing is proving effective, then you may eventually need to consider knee replacement surgery. Again, these methods are oftentimes effective at postponing or eliminating the need for knee replacement, but if they aren’t working, it’s a sign that artificial replacement may be in your future.
- Recurrent Swelling – Swelling is a sign that your body is attempting to recover after trauma, and if you’re constantly dealing with swelling in your knees, everyday actions could be putting traumatic stress on the joint. Regular swelling is a sign that your knees can no longer adequately handle the amount of strain you’re putting on them. Again, conservative efforts can help combat swelling, but if it persists, surgery could be right for you.
- Everyday Actions Becoming Harder – There are so many daily actions that we take for granted until they become difficult as a result of knee pain. Standing up, sitting down or navigating stairs can all become very hard if you have pain or problems with one or both of your knees. If once simple actions are now much more laborious, you may need to have a conversation with a knee specialist in your future.
Again, none of these symptoms indicate that knee replacement is definitely in your future, but they should suggest that you’d be wise to be a little more proactive in improving your knee health. For more information on conservative or operative treatments, reach out to Dr. Botero and his team today at (865) 558-4444.
