Total Knee Replacement - A Side Blog

I haven't spoken about the pros or cons with knee replacements or why people get them.


First the reason people get knee replacements is to alleviate pain and/or to balance ourselves. My pain began when I was in my teens--it'd feel like someone was stabbing me in the kneed joint with a knife...and then turning the knife in a circle. This wouldn't happen all of the time, I could handle the pain that was bad with an anti-inflammatory and some glucosomine. As I got older, I was using this more and more.


 I then tried cortisone shots with good results, but I also saw the x-rays of my knees and the left one was bone on bone--no cartilage. It was going to have to be done sooner or later and I thought sooner was better. I already had to give up cycling and walking, both on my favorite lists of things to do, but I had seen what people could do after surgery.


There are 2 approaches to knee surgery; total replacement which includes putting a metal prosthesis in the top part of the knee( the femur) and a plastic prosthesis in the knee cap as well as the bottom part of the knee(the tibia).


People who are suffering from less severe arthritis may receive a Unicompartimental knee replacement. These types of replacements means that only one compartment has to be replaced instead of the whole knee.


Of course, surgery is not the first option. Anti-inflammatory, physical therapy, cortisone shots are all used in alleviating knee pain. But, as in my case, these had been used and it was time to take the step. So what are the pros and cons of knee surgery?


The Pros:
Pain Relief! 
The biggest advantage to knee replacement surgery is no more pain. during the first several weeks of recovery from surgery and then physical therapy, you are able to perform normal activities without the pain you've been feeling for the past several years(in my case). 

Duration

Knee replacement surgery is a long-lasting fix. Depending on your age, physical condition and lifestyle, your knee replacement at least 15 years and up to at least 30 years.

Ending Other Remedies

Before knee replacement surgery, I was going to doctors for injections every couple of months. I was also taking daily doses of Celebrex which can cause kidney damage. I was also spending a lot of time and money at the doctors' and that's not any fun!

So,what's the down side?  

The Cons

Cost

Any surgery is expensive. Knee replacement surgery is no exception, but it is usually covered although you may have to pay a deductible and coinsurance.

Con--Complications

One of the most common complications of knee replacement surgery is the formation of blood clots. Other dangers, although rare, include infections, nerve damage, complications from anesthesia or heart attack or stroke

Also, just because your knee is better, doesn't mean its like new. One of the things that you may not be able to do after surgery is to kneel regularly. Also, because we are dealing with steel/titanium hinge, there may be some noise. I looked at the cons and felt they were well within the realm of risks that I was willing to take.