Knee Osteoarthritis: When to Consider Surgery
Knee Osteoarthritis: When to Consider Surgery
In this type of surgery, the surgeon inserts a thin tube with a tiny camera on the end through a small opening in your skin to view the inside of your knee. The surgeon can then remove damaged cartilage -- the smooth covering that protects the bones in the joint. The knee can be cleaned or flushed to remove loose bone or cartilage pieces that may be causing pain.
Most people can get back to their usual activities a few days later. The recovery usually isn't painful.
Arthroscopic surgery may provide short-term relief from pain. It can also delay the need for more complex surgery.
If you have tried all other osteoarthritis treatment options and still have knee pain, your doctor may suggest knee replacement. It can help reduce your pain and improve your ability to move.
Knee replacement surgery involves removing all or part of the knee joint and replacing the damaged parts with an artificial joint. These are made of metals and plastics.
It may take months to recover fully, but the relief can last many years or even a lifetime.
It may be time to have knee replacement surgery if you have:
Knee Osteoarthritis: When to Consider Surgery
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Arthroscopic Surgery
In this type of surgery, the surgeon inserts a thin tube with a tiny camera on the end through a small opening in your skin to view the inside of your knee. The surgeon can then remove damaged cartilage -- the smooth covering that protects the bones in the joint. The knee can be cleaned or flushed to remove loose bone or cartilage pieces that may be causing pain.
Most people can get back to their usual activities a few days later. The recovery usually isn't painful.
Arthroscopic surgery may provide short-term relief from pain. It can also delay the need for more complex surgery.
Knee Replacement Surgery
If you have tried all other osteoarthritis treatment options and still have knee pain, your doctor may suggest knee replacement. It can help reduce your pain and improve your ability to move.
Knee replacement surgery involves removing all or part of the knee joint and replacing the damaged parts with an artificial joint. These are made of metals and plastics.
It may take months to recover fully, but the relief can last many years or even a lifetime.
It may be time to have knee replacement surgery if you have:
- Severe knee pain that limits your everyday activities
- Moderate or severe knee pain while resting, day or night
- Chronic knee inflammation and swelling that doesn’t improve with rest or medications
- Knee deformity: a bowing in or out of your leg
- Knee stiffness: inability to bend and straighten your knee
- No pain relief from NSAIDs (or can't tolerate them) or other conservative measures
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