The prospect of ongoing, worsening knee pain is not an appealing one. For some people, though, the idea of a knee replacement procedure is even less so. Throughout my career as an orthopedic surgeon, I have performed countless knee replacements on many patients who are nervous about the procedure—until they learn what to expect and how it can benefit them.
If you’re seeing signs it’s time for a knee replacement, here are a few things you should know. It’s not as scary as you might think.
Is knee replacement right for you?
First, you should know that knee pain—even chronic knee pain due to osteoarthritis—does not necessarily mean that replacement is the only option for you. In fact, good orthopedic surgeons usually try to keep patients out of the operating room. Bracing, injections, physical therapy and lifestyle changes can lessen knee pain and delay or eliminate the need for replacement.
