Knee pain has become a prominent health issue across the world. The magnitude of the problem can be judged from the fact that in India itself, about 20-25% people have some kind of knee issue. It seriously affects their quality of life. People try different conservative treatments, but they give only some temporary relief from symptoms. For many, knee replacement is the only and best option for better knee movement and long-term relief from knee pain. Have a look at five symptoms that may indicate your need for knee replacement surgery.
1) Pain that Refuses to Go Away
Persistent pain in knees is often an early indicator of a major underlying issue. The pain could be sharp, aching, or throbbing, and it may increase when you walk, climb stairs, or stand for long periods of time. If this pain does not go away with rest, physiotherapy, and pain-killers, it may be time to consider knee replacement.
When to Seek Help: It’s important to consult a doctor, preferably an orthopaedician, if your joint discomfort does not subside and continues for weeks, or it interferes with your routine activities. You might be suffering from cartilage damage, ligament injury, or arthritis. Whatever be the reason, a thorough examination will help identify the real problem.
2) Reduced Mobility
If you have problem moving your knees, it is again a sign that you might need knee replacement surgery. By reduced mobility, we mean stiffness in knees, difficulty in bending or straightening your knees, or the inability to walk long distances. Routine activities that were once so easy, now become hard and seem to pose a challenge. You no longer like to take your pet for a walk or climb stairs. Standing up from a sitting position is also painful.
When to Seek Help: Be mindful. If you see yourself hesitating from engaging in simple physical activities because of knee pain or mobility issues, you must talk to a knee specialist. You may be advised imaging tests, such as X-Rays or MRIs, to check the condition of your knee joint, and ascertain if you need surgery.
3) Swelling and Inflammation
If you notice swelling and inflammation in your knees, it could point towards different conditions, including arthritis and injury. If your knees swell often, especially after some activity, it could be a sign that the condition of the joint is worsening. If along with swelling, there is a feeling of warmth around the knee, it could be a pointer towards inflammation.
When to Seek Help: Do not ignore if you experience regular swelling along with pain in the knee. If home remedies, such as applying ice, elevating the knee, and rest do not give relief, it’s time to visit a doctor. The doctor can check how severe your condition is, and guide you if knee replacement surgery would be an ideal choice for you.
4) Unstable and Weak Knees
Your knees are unstable and weak when they no longer feel strong enough to support your weight. You lose confidence in your knees, and hesitate in performing activities that involve knee movement. It makes walking, running, and taking part in sports difficult.
When to Seek Help: If you experience instability or weakness in your knees on a regular basis, you should seek medical advice. Unstable and weak knees can increase your risk of falls and injuries. Hence, the root causes need to be addressed. An orthopaedician can perform tests to assess the strength of your knees, and advise you regarding suitable measures.
5) Conservative Treatments Prove Ineffective
A lot of patients try conservative treatments for their knees. In addition to making changes to your lifestyle, you may have tried over-the-counter medicines, physiotherapy, and corticosteroid injections. But if there has not been noticeable improvement, it may be an indicator that your condition has worsened to a point where more extensive intervention is required.
When to Seek Help: It’s advisable to discuss your symptoms with an orthopaedic professional if despite trying hard, conservative approaches fail to give any relief. The specialist orthopaedician can evaluate your condition and give you all the necessary information about knee replacement surgery.
What to Do Next?
When your life has become such that you bear pain most of the time and you are unable to do things and activities that once seemed so casual, anybody could lose heart. But remember, where there’s a will, there’s a way. If your doctor, after a proper assessment of your symptoms and tests, recommends you to go for a knee replacement surgery, it can be an important life-changing decision.
- Consult a Specialist Orthopaedician: Book an appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon, who specializes in treating knee problems. The doctor gives you a complete assessment of your symptoms and the overall health of your knee.
- Diagnostic Tests: You may need to get diagnostic tests prescribed by your doctor done. You generally need to go for imaging tests, such as X-Rays and MRIs. These tests would help your doctor and you to know the actual condition of your knee.
- Discuss Treatment Options: Ask your doctor about all the available treatment options. Discuss the merits and demerits of traditional as well as surgical approaches. Your doctor is the best person to guide you regarding which intervention would be an ideal choice for you.
- Lifestyle Changes: Think about making changes to your lifestyle. If your doctor thinks surgery is not needed right away, he can advise you low-impact exercise, physical therapy, or weight reduction to help reduce pain and manage other knee problem symptoms.
- Educate Yourself: Update yourself with knowledge about the entire process of knee replacement, including how to prepare for surgery, what happens during surgery, and what to expect after surgery.
Conclusion
Do not let knee pain and other joint infection symptoms disrupt your life. Reach out to expert knee specialists for the best knee replacement surgery. If you have continuous pain, restricted mobility, swelling, or instability in the knees, and conservative treatments do not give any relief, it may be time to think about knee replacement.
