Knee pain is usually caused by arthritis. There are three common types of arthritis: rheumatoid, traumatic, and osteoarthritis.
A serious injury can bring on traumatic arthritis. If ligaments are torn or the knee is fractured, it can cause damage to articular cartilage which will only worsen with time. Of course, this is painful and affects the knees ability to function.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: When the synovial membrane produces an excess of fluid, the joint space overfills. The fluid becomes thick and inflamed and causes damage to the cartilage. The result is pain, stiffness, and a loss of cartilage.
If the cushion of cartilage in the knee wears out, it leaves the bones to grind against each other. This extremely painful condition is known as osteoarthritis. It is usually a problem for people over fifty years old, especially those who have a history of osteoarthritis in the family.
Knee Replacement May Bring Relief
To make an informed decision about total knee replacement, you will want to consult with your family, your doctor and the orthopedic surgeon he will surely refer you to. Your orthopedic surgeon can outline all of your options, including total knee replacement surgery, other surgeries that may be available to you and non-surgical options as well. Once you have done your homework, you will be able to make an educated choice.
Click here for more on diagnosing knee pain .
Here are some good reasons to have total knee replacement surgery:
You have tried other treatments (cortisone injections, physical therapy, alternate surgery, etc.) without success.
Difficulty getting through each day without pain. If it hurts to stand up, sit down, walk, climb stairs, get in your car, get out of your car, and so on, it is time to try total knee replacement. This is also true if you are doing all these things, but you are using a cane or a walker to manage them.
You need total knee replacement surgery if:
Stiff knee joints that will not straighten or bend.
Your knee hurts even when you are resting it.
Bowed knees or any other deformity.
Your aspirin or ibuprofen dont work any more. Understand that these medications are good for early symptoms, but as your pain worsens, they cant keep up.
Persistent inflammation and swelling that does not subside with medication and rest.
Over time, medications in general tend to lose effectiveness. The efficacy of a medication will vary from one person to another. If your arthritis is severe, your medications are very likely to lose effectiveness as the disease progresses. Additionally, you may develop a tolerance for or a reaction to a medication if you take it over a long period of time.
Dr. Tarlow is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon with over 20 years specializing in knee surgery. He opened his own clinic, Advanced Knee Care, with a focus on specialty patient care. Click here to learn more about Dr. Tarlow, knee surgeon and ACL reconstruction.