Knee arthritis can cause pain when walking, climbing stairs, standing or even resting. But arthritis doesn’t mean you automatically have to have surgery. When pain, stiffness, and limited movement start to interfere with your daily life and other treatments aren’t giving you enough relief, doctors typically consider surgery.
What Is Knee Osteoarthritis?
Knee arthritis is a condition where the cartilage cushioning the ends of the bones in the knee joint is damaged or degenerates. This can cause pain, stiffness, swelling and difficulty moving the joint. Osteoarthritis is the most common type, but other types of arthritis can also affect the knee.
In some people the symptoms may be worse than in others. Some people are able to manage their symptoms without surgery for years, while others may have significant problems despite treatment.
How Do Doctors Determine If Surgery Is Needed?
“You don’t make the choice on an x-ray. An orthopedic specialist will review your medical history, symptoms, physical exam and activity restrictions.
X-rays can show changes such as joint space narrowing, bone changes or advanced arthritis. But the X-ray findings are combined with how you actually feel and function. A very abnormal x-ray doesn’t always need surgery if the symptoms are manageable.
When Surgery Is An Option
Surgery might be discussed if you have:
- Knee pain that does not get better with correct treatment
- Pain that prevents walking, sleeping, working or household activities
- Severe stiffness or inability to bend knee
- Trouble climbing stairs or rising from a chair
- More reliance on support while walking
- Symptoms That Make Your Quality of Life Significantly Worse When Non-Surgical Treatment Isn’t Enough
Before recommending surgery, doctors might try treatments such as exercise or physical therapy, weight management when appropriate, medicines, injections when clinically suitable, and activity modification. These approaches can decrease symptoms and improve function for many patients.
Surgery is generally reserved for cases where symptoms are severe and ongoing despite appropriate non-surgical management. The goal is not just to treat an X-ray finding, but improve pain and daily function.
So When Should You Consider Knee Replacement?
If pain and limited function are significant and other treatments haven’t helped enough, knee replacement surgery might be an option for advanced arthritis. The procedure replaces the damaged surfaces of joints with artificial ones.
It’s a personal choice. Surgery can be appropriate at any age. Important considerations include overall health, activity level, condition of the knee, symptoms, history of treatment, and personal goals.
If your knee pain is getting worse or stopping you from doing your normal activities, you can talk to an orthopedic specialist about your symptoms and find out about your treatment options. If you want to get evaluated and guided as per your individual knee condition instead of symptoms, then you can consult a trusted orthopedics hospital in Indore.
FAQs
1. What are the symptoms of severe arthritis of the knee?
In cases of severe arthritis, the person may experience constant pain, stiffness, limited mobility and difficulty in doing things such as walking, climbing the stairs or sleeping comfortably. Your doctor can determine severity based on symptoms, examination and imaging.
2. Can you treat knee arthritis without surgery?
Yep. Treatment of symptoms may include exercise, physical therapy, weight management when appropriate, medications, injections, and activity modification. Treatment is customized for each individual.
3. When do you need a knee replacement?
May be appropriate in the setting of significant pain and functional disability from arthritis refractory to appropriate non-surgical management.
4. Is it age that matters in knee arthritis surgery?
No. Age is only one part of it. Doctors also look at overall health, symptoms, mobility, the extent of damage to the knee and the expected benefits of treatment.
5. How do doctors decide if surgery is appropriate?
Doctors will consider your medical history, symptoms, physical exam, imaging results, past treatments and personal goals to determine if surgery is right for you.