Do I need a knee replacement?

In my years of clinical practice, I have seen it hundreds of times. The adult child of an elderly parent is concerned because mom/dad has been walking less and less and thinks they need a knee replacement. The parent insists the pain is not that bad and does not want to have surgery.

When facing a major operation like a total knee replacement, it is completely appropriate for you to have questions and fears about such drastic measures, but unfortunately, a primary care provider generally does not have the experience or knowledge to advise you well, and the orthopedic surgeon may not have enough time to spend with you if you are not ready for surgery.

When evaluating your readiness for surgery, the first thing I would think about is how bad is your pain. While pain can be rated on a scale of one to ten, I would be more concerned about how much does your pain affect your quality of life. Do you find yourself taking longer to walk the same distance or having more difficulty going up or down stairs? Have you had to give up hobbies you used to enjoy? Are you missing out on quality time with the grandkids because you are unable to keep up?

Studies show that the number of steps you walk per day is very strongly related to how long you are going to live. In other words, people who walk more live longer. Walking less to avoid aggravating your knee pain is taking years off of your life. Do not be scared about the interventions necessary to help your knee pain, rather be scared of progressive inactivity affecting the quality and quantity of your life.

The other key piece of information in determining your readiness for a knee replacement are your x-rays. It takes experience and expertise to read x-rays, so I think it is vitally important for your specialist to personally review your actual films with you just as a good mechanic would show you your tires and explain to you why they need to be replaced.

If your knee pain is significantly impairing the quality of your life and you have been told you have advanced arthritis, you may be thinking about and/or even preparing for a knee replacement. If you find yourself here with more questions than answers, let’s talk. Contact me to set up an appointment and let me personally review your x-rays with you and let you see how bad your arthritis really is. Together, we can decide what is best for you and get you back on the path of health and wellness.