Solutions to Knee Pain and Loss of Function in the Knee
Often chronic knee pain is caused by one of the three common types of arthritis: osteoarthritis, traumatic arthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis.
A serious injury can bring on traumatic arthritis. If ligaments are torn or the knee is fractured, it can cause damage to articular cartilage which will only worsen with time. Of course, this is painful and affects the knees ability to function.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: When the synovial membrane produces an excess of fluid, the joint space overfills. The fluid becomes thick and inflamed and causes damage to the cartilage. The result is pain, stiffness, and a loss of cartilage.
Osteoarthritis: When the cushion of cartilage in the knee wears out, it leaves bone against bone. This is quite painful and causes knees to stiffen badly. This condition is usually seen in people who are over the age of 50. It is even more prevalent in people whose family has a history of osteoarthritis.
Is Knee Replacement The Solution?
To make an informed decision about total knee replacement, you will want to consult with your family, your doctor and the orthopedic surgeon he will surely refer you to. Your orthopedic surgeon can outline all of your options, including total knee replacement surgery, other surgeries that may be available to you and non-surgical options as well. Once you have done your homework, you will be able to make an educated choice.
Click here for more on treating knee pain .
Here are some good reasons to have total knee replacement surgery:
Exhaustion of Options: You have tried everything else without success. Once you have gone through physical therapy, cortisone injections, and other types of surgery to no avail, it is definitely time to consider total knee replacement.
Inability to Perform Activities of Daily Living: Problems sitting, standing, walking, climbing stairs, getting in and out of a car, or problems with other common everyday activities indicate a need for total knee replacement surgery. Reliance on an assistive device such as a walker or cane is also an indication.
Symptoms That Indicate a Need For Total Knee Replacement Surgery
Joint stiffness that prevents you from flexing your knee comfortably.
Pain in your knee(s) while at rest.
You are knock-kneed or bow-legged and it is causing pain and problems.
Loss of responsiveness to pain relievers. Note that non-steroidal pain relievers like aspirin and ibuprofen may be very effective for the early stages of arthritis. However, as the condition worsens, effectiveness may dwindle.
Persistent inflammation and swelling that does not subside with medication and rest.
It is important to realize that the effectiveness of medications may vary widely from patient to patient. The more severe your arthritis, the less effective medications will be. Over time, you may build up a tolerance to medications that prevents them from being effective, or you may develop complications that prevent you from being able to use them at all. - 17269
A serious injury can bring on traumatic arthritis. If ligaments are torn or the knee is fractured, it can cause damage to articular cartilage which will only worsen with time. Of course, this is painful and affects the knees ability to function.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: When the synovial membrane produces an excess of fluid, the joint space overfills. The fluid becomes thick and inflamed and causes damage to the cartilage. The result is pain, stiffness, and a loss of cartilage.
Osteoarthritis: When the cushion of cartilage in the knee wears out, it leaves bone against bone. This is quite painful and causes knees to stiffen badly. This condition is usually seen in people who are over the age of 50. It is even more prevalent in people whose family has a history of osteoarthritis.
Is Knee Replacement The Solution?
To make an informed decision about total knee replacement, you will want to consult with your family, your doctor and the orthopedic surgeon he will surely refer you to. Your orthopedic surgeon can outline all of your options, including total knee replacement surgery, other surgeries that may be available to you and non-surgical options as well. Once you have done your homework, you will be able to make an educated choice.
Click here for more on treating knee pain .
Here are some good reasons to have total knee replacement surgery:
Exhaustion of Options: You have tried everything else without success. Once you have gone through physical therapy, cortisone injections, and other types of surgery to no avail, it is definitely time to consider total knee replacement.
Inability to Perform Activities of Daily Living: Problems sitting, standing, walking, climbing stairs, getting in and out of a car, or problems with other common everyday activities indicate a need for total knee replacement surgery. Reliance on an assistive device such as a walker or cane is also an indication.
Symptoms That Indicate a Need For Total Knee Replacement Surgery
Joint stiffness that prevents you from flexing your knee comfortably.
Pain in your knee(s) while at rest.
You are knock-kneed or bow-legged and it is causing pain and problems.
Loss of responsiveness to pain relievers. Note that non-steroidal pain relievers like aspirin and ibuprofen may be very effective for the early stages of arthritis. However, as the condition worsens, effectiveness may dwindle.
Persistent inflammation and swelling that does not subside with medication and rest.
It is important to realize that the effectiveness of medications may vary widely from patient to patient. The more severe your arthritis, the less effective medications will be. Over time, you may build up a tolerance to medications that prevents them from being effective, or you may develop complications that prevent you from being able to use them at all. - 17269
About the Author:
Dr. Tarlow is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon with over 20 years specializing in knee surgery. He opened his own clinic, Advanced Knee Care, with a focus on specialty patient care. Click here to learn more about Dr. Tarlow, knee surgeon and ACL reconstruction.
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