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Conversations with your friends used to center around the great things you could do, but, as you get older, the subject transitions more toward what you can’t do, thanks to worn down joints. And the two joints that are often the first to feel the effects of wear and tear are the largest in your body — your knees.
If you’ve been struggling with achy knees, likely due to osteoarthritis, which affects north of 32.5 million American adults, you may be wondering whether it’s time to consider joint replacement. Each year in the United States, around 790,000 knee replacements are performed, helping scores of patients to reclaim their active lives.
Here at Western Orthopaedics, our team specializes in all things joint-related, including joint replacement, and one of the most common questions we’re asked is about knowing when to consider knee replacement.
While each case is different and we evaluate you on an individual basis, here are some great rules of thumb when it comes to knee replacement.
One of the most important barometers is how much pain you’re in. If your pain has turned the corner from an occasional ache to something that’s more the rule than the exception, it may be time to take a closer look at knee replacement.
If your painful knee(s) are preventing you from normal, everyday activities, such as climbing stairs or getting in and out of your car, knee replacement may hold the key to helping with the requirements of everyday living.
Long before we typically recommend joint replacement, we first try to reestablish pain-free movement through more conservative efforts, such as:
If these efforts have fallen short, the next step is usually knee replacement.
From our perspective, we usually recommend joint replacement when you have no more cartilage left in your knee, leaving your bones unprotected and rubbing together. Since cartilage doesn’t renew itself, the only way to reestablish easy gliding within your joint is to resurface the bones with plastic and metal, which is what we do during a knee replacement.
The parts that we use during a knee replacement are built to last — up to 20 years or more — but they may not go the distance if you’re on the younger side. For example, getting a knee replacement at 45 might require revision surgery down the road. Conversely, if you’re 65, that same knee may never need to be replaced.
Exercise is extremely important, at any age, but it’s especially vital as you get older. The benefits of exercise should not be missed because of damaged knees. So, if knee pain has sidelined you from your active life, we suggest that you get moving again with a knee replacement.
Dealing with painful knees can really shrink your world, and you may feel disconnected as you struggle to play a game with young family members or you can’t keep up with friends on the golf course. If a knee replacement can help keep you connected, then it may be a wise step to take because your mental wellness is as important as your physical health.
The best way to figure out whether it’s time to replace your painful knee is to sit down with one of our experts for a full evaluation. To get started, please contact one of our offices in Arvada or Denver, Colorado.
