Ask your doctor if you can avoid surgery
Can diet and exercise help? Even 10 extra pounds can wear away knee cartilage, causing many overweight adults to suffer from knee osteoarthritis.
WebMD
Smart health facts: Knee replacement surgery
Are you considering knee replacement surgery for chronic pain, stiffness and swelling? The likelihood of knee replacement surgery depends on your age, how active you are and how much pain you have. Pain relief can vary from person to person. Talk with your doctor about all your choices.
During total knee replacement, the doctor removes damaged cartilage and bone from the knee joint and replaces them with either metal or plastic.
Why you might need knee replacement surgery
- Medicines and physical therapy do not stop chronic knee pain, swelling and stiffness
- You can't walk, climb stairs or get in and out of chairs due to knee pain
- Knee pain keeps you from sleeping through the night
- You have a knee deformity
Understand the risks of knee replacement surgery
- Blood clots in the legs that may travel to your lungs
- Possible nerve damage, knee stiffness
- Bleeding, damage to blood vessels
- Infections in the bone or implants
- Bone fractures, loosening of the artificial joint
People who have an artificial joint (prosthesis) must carefully guard against infections. It is also a good idea to:
- Carry a medical identification card saying you have a prosthesis
- Take antibiotics before any dental work or invasive medical procedures
Ask your doctor about other options
Many times, these treatments may be enough to "cure" you of your knee pain:
- Lifestyle changes - for example, eating fewer calories (if overweight), regular exercise
- Medicines that help decrease inflammation
- Cortisone injections
- Other surgeries
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