Thanks to modern lifestyle, an increasing number of people tend to suffer from various knee problems. Not only senior citizens but even active adults can frequently be seen experiencing knee pain and stiffness.
Many individuals, especially those in the initial stages of knee degeneration, may benefit from rest, physiotherapy, medications, and/or lifestyle changes. However, those with persistent or worsening symptoms may require knee replacement surgery.
When to Consider Knee Surgery?
You are the best judge when it comes to your body. Only you know if your knee pain is persistent and severe, whether or not it allows you to climb stairs, walk, and stand. Do you find it a challenging task to get up from a chair? If you have been struggling with such issues, it might be more than just a temporary issue.
Another red flag is – your pain and stiffness do not improve with home remedies, medicines, exercise, physical therapy, and non-invasive treatment options, such as PRP injections, stem cell therapy, etc. You have tried and tested just everything and nothing seems to give relief. You experience stiff and painful knees not just in the morning but also during sleep.
What happens in osteoarthritis? There is cartilage damage that causes bone-to-bone friction, and you end up experiencing intense pain. Movement becomes very restricted. You get imaging tests – X-rays and MRIs. They reveal advanced stage joint damage. You try conservative treatments but to no avail. It is a pointer that you should go for knee replacement surgery.
Additionally, if you notice deformities in your knee(s), have started limping, your knees feel unstable, swollen, or inflamed, you must visit an orthopaedic surgeon. Actually, it is quite likely that you have ignored your knee condition long enough to reach an advanced stage where no other solution would suffice.
At a Glance
- Persistent knee pain
- Swelling, inflammation, stiffness that do not improve
- Unstable knees
- Difficulty climbing stairs, walking, and even standing
- Find it hard to get up from a sitting position
- Pain even in a lying position
- Change in shape of knees
- Changed gait
- Medicines – no relief
- Exercise – no relief
- Physical therapy – no effect
- Orthobiologics (PRP injections, Hyaluronic injections, Stem cell therapy, etc.) – failed
- Imaging tests show extensive damage
If you can relate with the above points, it is an indication that knee replacement surgery is the only option for pain relief and renewed quality of life. The good news is that today we have not just traditional but also robotic knee replacement.
The number of people opting for knee surgery has steadily been increasing. Modern surgical options like robotic-assisted knee replacement are minimally invasive, more precise, and offer faster recovery times with less pain, less blood loss, just 3-4 days in hospital, and better outcomes – so that you can go back to your earlier active lifestyle once again.
Remember: Knee replacement surgery is not the first option but can be the best one when quality of life is compromised.
If knee pain is stopping you from living fully, don’t ignore it. Get a proper diagnosis from a trusted knee pain specialist in Chandigarh and explore all treatment options – including surgery. Choose a more active and pain-free future with healthy knees.
