An injured knee is hard to ignore. When you have a healthy knee joint, you don’t even think about all it does. You use your knee to walk, stand and sit, lift things, and so much more. So if your knee stops working properly or is painful, you may find that you cannot complete everyday activities.
Some people deal with knee pain for years before getting a knee replacement surgery. You may be wondering if knee replacement is a good option for you. Here are some things that may be good indicators that you would benefit from knee replacement surgery.
Pain
One of the best indicators that surgery may be needed is severe
pain. Often, when a knee replacement is needed this pain will be persistent. Along with pain you may experience swelling, and loss of mobility.
The pain and stiffness in the knee joint would likely make regular movement and everyday activities difficult or even impossible.
It is difficult to put up with this kind of pain for long, so if you are experiencing this you likely have already made a trip to the doctor.
Treatments
If you have been to the doctor to address the pain you are experiencing, they may have recommended trying some nonsurgical treatments first to see if your knee pain improves. These treatments may include
If you have tried these treatments and are still not experiencing any relief, that is a good indicator that surgery may be a good option.
Appearance
It is normal for an injured area to look bruised or displaced if there has been trauma to the area. But if your knee is swollen or bowed in appearance, surgery can help ensure that a larger area of the leg isn’t affected.
Age
Osteoarthritis, which often comes with
age, can be a cause of knee deterioration. If you have arthritis in other joints, or have unexplained pain in the knee, it is a good idea to have your doctor examine it sooner than later.
Don’t let knee pain prevent you from living your life. Talk to your doctor about treatment options to determine if a knee replacement surgery may be a good option for you.