We want to help improve the health of your knees, even if knee pain isn’t the only issue you’re battling. In fact, most of the patients we help are battling other conditions that need to be accounted for before, during and after the procedure. Some patients face additional risk as a result of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure or a condition like osteoporosis, which is a issue that leads to bone weakening. We’ve helped patients facing all these issues get the care they need for their knee, but in today’s blog, we want to focus on the special care given to patients with osteoporosis who are in need of a knee replacement.
Knee Replacement With Osteoporosis
More than 10 million Americans are dealing with osteoporosis, and that number is only likely to increase as Baby Boomers continue to age. Undoubtedly, providers can expect to see a greater portion of their knee replacement candidates presenting with mild to moderate cases of osteoporosis. Having osteoporosis by no means excludes you from being able to undergo knee replacement surgery, but there are some additional steps that may be taken and care protocols to follow. Let’s take a look at those additional measures.
- Component Anchoring – For standard patients, the bones on either side of the artificial knee implant grow into the device over time, or a very small amount of bone cement is inserted to ensure fusion within the knee. In patients with osteoporosis, their bone production is less functional, making it harder for the implant to fuse with the knee on its own in a stable position. Patients with osteoporosis will have bone cement or bone grafts placed alongside the implant to expedite this fusion process and decrease the likelihood of stability issues tied to osteoporosis onset.
- Fracture Risk – Fracture risk from stress and trauma should be controlled in all patients, but fragility fractures are of increased concern in patients with osteoporosis given their diminished bone quality. The insertion of bone cement can help offload some of this stress from the weakened natural bones nearby, but your doctor will also talk to you about other ways to manage your bone fracture risk after surgery. Pursuing safe exercise, working towards an ideal weight, getting a variety of nutrients in your diet, supplementing for nutrient deficiencies and using assistive walking devices can all provide an environment that is preventative of fragility fractures after knee replacement.
- Total Knee Replacement – It’s highly unlikely that a patient with osteoporosis will be considered an ideal candidate for partial knee replacement. In a partial knee replacement procedure, only a portion of the damaged knee compartment is replaced, which is ideal when the rest of the knee joint is healthy. If you’re dealing with osteoporosis, there’s a pretty good chance the issues with your knee aren’t isolated to just one compartment. Any decision on your procedure will be made after a consultation with your knee surgeon, but if you know that you have osteopenia or osteoporosis and knee replacement is in your future, expect the total replacement.
- PT Needs – Physical therapy is a key aspect of recovery for all patients following knee replacement surgery, but it’s crucial for those also dealing with osteoporosis. PT will help you strengthen the replaced knee and ensure you become more stable on your feet. Falls can be devastating after a new knee, but if you’re moving with brittle bones, a fall can cause fractures and lead to implant failure. Most lower body fractures that compromise the integrity of the artificial knee require emergency surgery to address, which is something we all want to avoid. Really give it your all during physical therapy to reduce your fall risk if you have osteoporosis.
We’ve helped many patients with osteoporosis get the help they need for their ailing knees. Whether that is a conservative management plan or a total knee replacement, we’re confident we can find the right solution for you. For more information, or for help with a specific knee concern, give Dr. Botero and his team a call today at (865) 450-1218.
