Should You Get Knee Replacement Surgery?
Knee replacement surgery involves removing damaged cartilage from your knee and replacing it with an artificial joint. If you have been having problems with your knees, you may wonder if you should commit to having surgery. After all, having an invasive procedure is a big deal and should always be thought over carefully.
Here are a few signs it may be a good idea to have knee replacement surgery.
Other Treatments Aren't Working
If you have knee pain, your doctor will likely suggest non-invasive treatments before surgery. For example, your doctor may recommend getting injections or attending physical therapy. However, if none of these treatments are effective, it may be necessary to have knee surgery.
Your Knee Is Constantly Swollen
When you have knee osteoarthritis, your knee may experience swelling from time to time. However, if your knee is swollen every day even after using steroids and other treatments, it is a cause for concern. The degeneration may be too severe to respond to these types of treatments. Knee replacement surgery may be the only way to get relief.
You Can't Do Simple Activities Anymore
If your knee pain is very severe, you may have trouble completing the simplest tasks, such as walking to your car or taking a shower. You may rely on others to help you with these tasks. To maintain your independence, you may require knee replacement surgery.
Your Knee Pain Prevent You From Sleeping Soundly
If it takes you a while to fall asleep or you wake up frequently throughout the night because of your knee pain, you should consider knee replacement surgery. Losing out on sleep because of severe pain may eventually take a toll on your health. Knee replacement surgery can dramatically reduce your pain and help you sleep well again.
You Understand That You Can't Perform Certain Activities Anymore
After knee replacement surgery, you can resume many normal activities, such as walking, swimming, and bicycling. However, your doctor will advise you against doing high-impact and strenuous activities, like lifting heavy weights. These types will put too much stress on your artificial knee joint, reducing its lifespan.
If you are displaying any of these signs, you should talk to your doctor about getting knee replacement surgery. They will assess your knee pain and determine if surgery is the right choice for you. Do not hesitate to ask your doctor any questions you have about the procedure.