Patient Education: Knee Replacement

When is Knee Replacement Needed?

A painful knee can keep you from doing the things you enjoy in life, and your decision to replace your knee is your first step toward regaining control of your life. Technical advances have given us new materials to replace your problem knee. Therefore, when lesser methods are no longer able to control the pain and disability to your satisfaction, knee replacement becomes a reasonable option. 

Knee replacement is usually performed to treat severe arthritic conditions. Most patients who have artificial knees are over the age of 55, but the operation is occasionally performed on younger patents as well. Circumstances vary, but generally patients are considered for knee replacements if:

1) Pain is severe enough to restrict work, recreation, and the ordinary daily 
activities.

2) Pain is not relieved by anti-inflammatory medicine, the use of a cane, and other 
restricting devices.

3) There is a significant stiffness of the knee. 

4) X-rays show advanced arthritis or other knee problems. 

Knee replacement is an elective operation and there are always nonoperative alternatives. The decision to have the operation is not made by your doctor, but by yourself. The doctor may recommend the operation; however, your decision must be based upon weighing the benefits of the operation against the risks. You may wish to discuss the surgery with your own doctor or even get another opinion so all your questions are answered before you decide to have the operation.

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