How to Know When It’s Time to Consider a Knee Replacement

Knee pain can change the course of your days and nights, leaving you worried about how to meet your obligations and what the future may hold in terms of increasing pain. It isn’t always easy to know when the time has come to weigh the merits of surgical intervention. 

Robert J. Otto, MD, strives to provide the best possible treatment advice to those in his care. When it comes to joint replacement, he takes the time to explain all available options, including what to expect if you decide to postpone surgical knee replacement. 

Here are some reasons people choose knee replacement. 

Conservative treatments haven’t been effective

Many people who want to avoid surgery try less invasive treatment options first. There’s nothing wrong with pursuing alternatives that could restore healthy knee function without the recovery time of surgical knee replacement. 

You may have tried physical therapy to strengthen the muscles that support your knee. You might have tried regenerative treatments such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. Steroid injections may have temporarily eased your pain, but failed to deliver lasting improvements. 

If you’ve made an effort to try noninvasive treatment paths but haven’t found a workable solution to your ongoing knee pain, it might be time to consider surgical knee replacement. 

Pain becomes difficult to manage

No one likes being in pain. If your knee joint has degenerated or been damaged to the point that pain is a part of most of your days, there’s no need to continue suffering. 

Pain is your body’s way of signalling that something is wrong. But it shouldn’t be an ongoing experience. When pain lingers, it can affect your mental health and impact your routines. Finding a treatment that can reduce or eliminate knee pain can significantly improve your quality of life. 

Knee pain becomes an ongoing concern

Once your knee pain becomes your central focus, finding relief should become your top priority. Knee pain often prevents people from engaging in their normal levels of physical activity. That can quickly lead to problems with other joints, muscle strains, and circulatory issues. 

It’s not uncommon for a physical problem in one area of your body to create concerns in other areas. Additionally, even short periods of sedentary behavior can take a toll on your body. The sooner you get back on your feet, the sooner you can get back in shape, reducing your risk of developing many types of chronic disease. 

Knee replacement might not be as complicated as you imagine

If you’ve known someone who had knee replacement surgery some time ago, it’s important to understand that recent years have brought some amazing advancements in the techniques and technology used to perform joint replacements.

Today’s knee replacements are often done using minimally invasive surgical techniques. The risk of complications is lower, recovery times are faster, and outcomes are better than they were just a decade ago. 

If you’re tired of knee pain and limited mobility, schedule a time to meet with Dr. Otto to discuss your options. There’s no harm in learning more about modern knee replacement procedures and how joint replacement surgery might help you enjoy your life to the fullest. 

Call us during normal business hours or use our online booking tool to schedule an appointment at one of our locations in Nashville, Murfreesboro, or Cookeville, Tennessee.