Advantages and Disadvantages of Knee Replacement Surgery

Have you been suffering from chronic knee pain that no amount of physical therapy, injections, or ibuprofen seems to fix? You are thinking, "Should I get knee replacement?" but want to compare the pros and cons before deciding. Then this article is for you. Here, we will look at the advantages and disadvantages of getting a knee replacement to help you make an informed decision.

What is a knee replacement surgery?

Knee Replacement Surgery, also called knee arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure in which all or some parts of the knee are replaced. The natural part of the knee that has been damaged or worn down is replaced with an artificial joint made of metal and plastic. There are two main types of knee arthroplasty: total knee replacement surgery and partial knee replacement surgery.

Total knee replacements are more common and are used to avoid knee pain and discomfort caused by old age or joint issues. Partial knee recovery is usually done on young people who have suffered some kind of knee injury.

Should I get knee replacement, answered.

This is an important question to consider before deciding to go through knee surgery. Not everyone with knee pain needs surgery. So, how do you determine whether or not to go through it? Well, there are some tell-tale signs that point towards needing knee surgery.

Signs you need a Knee Replacement surgery:

• You have chronic knee pain that isn't getting better. You have tried physical therapy, pain meds, injections, and weight loss, but the pain is still there.

• You have had a knee injury in the past or a deformed knee since birth. An unaligned knee can cause constant discomfort. However, if your knee keeps hurting even when you are stationary, there is a problem. While you can always tolerate mild pain, however if you are experiencing moderate to extreme pain, please consider a knee replacement.

• If you have arthritis and your knee pain interferes with your daily life, even when you are not walking or running, it might be time to consider getting a knee replacement.

• If your knees are swollen, stiff, and painful to the point where sitting down and standing up are uncomfortable, you may have an inflamed tissue that can easily be removed through surgery.

• The biggest sign that you need knee surgery is constant pain even while you are at rest. While it is understandable to feel some pain when walking, running, or exercising, if you are in pain even when sitting or lying down, you should seriously consider surgery.

Knee replacement Pros and Cons: A comparative analysis

To make things easier for you, let's have a look at the knee replacement pros and cons.

Advantages of getting a Knee replacement surgery

Why get a knee replacement surgery? If you fall under one or more categories of the last segment, you already know you should get a knee surgery. To help you be sure, here are some advantages of knee surgery.

1. Significant Pain Relief: Chronic knee pain can be painful and tiring. A knee replacement can help reduce that pain. Over 90% of patients who have undergone knee replacement surgery report major relief after surgery.

2. Regaining the ability to perform your favourite activities: When your knee constantly hurts, you cannot perform several activities, causing you to miss out on fun activities you enjoyed. Walking, climbing stairs, gardening, and golfing can become manageable and painless after getting a knee replacement.

3. Enhanced quality of life: Constant knee pain restrains you. It takes away the freedom of movement. However, a knee replacement can help you return to your daily physical activities, hobbies, and social activities. This means more exercise, better sleep and, in turn, a better life.

4. Long-lasting Independence: Modern knee implants are built to last 15 to 20 years or longer with proper care.

Disadvantages of getting a Knee replacement surgery

All good things have bad angles. We will not pretend that undergoing a knee replacement surgery is all rainbows and sunshine. So, let's look at the disadvantages you may face if you get knee replacement surgery.

1. Surgical Risks: Like any other surgery, a knee replacement has the potential for complications like blood clots, infections, and nerve damage. Although relatively rare, there is always a risk when undergoing any kind of surgery.

2. Dedicated Recovery Time: Knee replacement recovery takes time. You will not be able to jump out of bed in a day. It takes up to one week to be able to move comfortably with the help of a walking stick. The complete recovery can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months. If you have a desk job, you might be able to return after three months, but if your job involves running, swimming, etc, then you might need 6 months before you can go back to resuming your duties. Also, your recovery largely depends on how much effort you put into your physiotherapy.

3. Implant Limitations: While these implants let you resume most activities you are used to, surgery still causes certain limitations. You might have difficulty kneeling or squatting. Exercise strain on your knee caused by running might cause discomfort. While you can climb stairs, you won't be able to climb several stairs in a temple or mountain that reaches in three digits.

4. Cost: The total cost of knee surgery, including the surgery, hospital stay, physical therapy, and follow-ups, can be anywhere from Rs 1 to 5 lakhs.

5. Limited Implant Lifespan: While they last up to 15 to 20 years, they are not permanent. If you're under 60, there's a solid chance you'll need a second surgery later in life, and revision surgeries are more complex than the original.

Conclusion

Getting a knee replacement surgery is a big step, and you should consider every aspect before deciding. A knee replacement surgery can be a life-changing solution to chronic pain and limited mobility. But do you absolutely need it? You can determine that by asking yourself these three questions:

1. Have I exhausted all non-surgical options?
2. Is my knee pain affecting my ability to live fully?
3. Am I ready for the commitment of recovery?

If the answer is "yes" to all three, a new knee might just be the fresh start you're looking for.