Can Knee Replacement Get Me Moving Again?
If you’re one of the many Americans suffering from chronic and consistent knee pain, we know just how difficult the challenge can be. Staying active and maintaining the lifestyle you love is difficult when your body just won’t give you the freedom to move freely. We here at Excelsior have been dedicating ourselves to helping people of all ages get past this challenge, so worry not, you’re not in this alone!
The Root of the Problem
Overcoming knee pain starts with a more in-depth understanding of where the pain is coming from and why it’s happening. Causes can range anywhere from tendon injuries to meniscus tears to old sports injuries coming back to haunt us, but for most people age 40 and up, the root of the chronic joint pain problem is osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative bone disorder that slowly erodes cartilage and bone in your joints resulting in pain, soreness, stiffness and loss of mobility. If you’re not familiar with what it is or how it works, we have an explanatory post for that too! Or you can check out some great resources from our friends at the AAOS.
Getting Back to Moving Freely
One common misconception about osteoarthritis is that there’s nothing you can do about it. While there is no cure for OA, there are plenty of treatment options available to you.
For cases in their earliest stages or patients with a smaller amount of pain and stiffness, pain medications and some simple exercises can be the best treatment. But it’s also important not to completely ignore the situation, even if the pain isn’t severe. If you can catch OA early enough, you and your doctor can work together on a long-term treatment plan.
For patients with more severe cases, other treatments like steroid injections or non-drug options like viscosupplementation treatment become options. These treatments are stronger than over-the-counter medications and can help to relieve you of knee pain and counteract the effects of OA for longer periods of time.
If all these treatments have failed you and your condition persists, surgical options are still a great way to regain your freedom and get back to life without pain. Knee replacement surgery can relieve you of your old, worn-down joint and provide you with a new synthetic knee joint. Many people think that knee replacement won’t feel natural, or that they’re too young for knee replacement surgery, but this usually couldn’t be further from the truth.
There are no age limits for knee replacement surgery, and the only thing that should determine whether it’s right for you is your individual situation. When your knee pain has gotten so bad that it’s interfering with your daily routine and limiting your happiness, your best course of action is to speak with a doctor. Physicians or orthopaedic specialists can help you determine the right course of action based solely on your knee situation.
The last thing you want to do is wait. Over time, OA will only get worse and progressively wear down your joints further. Living with crippling pain is not something you have to deal with.
The Bottom Line
Regardless of the degree of your condition or level of knee pain, we can help find the treatment path that’s right for you. We don’t think anyone should have to live life in pain. Is knee replacement right for you? It just might be, but it’s impossible to tell without seeing a specialist, so don’t wait any longer to get your life back. Come visit one of our surgeons today.
