No-one wants to undergo a knee replacement operation but, if you are experiencing a huge amount of pain and movement is drastically reduced, surgery may be the only option. There are various reasons as to why you may need one, arthritis could damage the cartilage so that it has worn thin and bones grating against each other has made any movement painful. When you have the knee replaced, the remaining cartilage is often replaced by both plastic and metal parts. These parts interlock so that your knee can bend. Of course, having arthritis does not mean that surgery is essential. There are always other options to consider first such as stem cell therapy.
There may be times, however, when stem cell treatments are just not suitable and of course, your medical professionals will guide you through the list of options. Certainly, knee surgery has changed dramatically over the last few years, with many advances being made and although this is offered less, there are times when there are no other options.
A partial knee replacement sounds less invasive than the full version but in truth, a partial knee replacement needs to have some very precise surgery i.e. bone being shaved back. This is a critical procedure as alignment must be perfect. If too little bone is removed, this would be as bad as removing too much. A partial knee replacement enables a quicker recovery rate, but it is not always possible.
If you are suffering from knee pain and have been advised that surgery may be required, you may be understandably nervous. There are many benefits to having surgery but, there are always some risks. Risks are typically associated with age, although there are no actual age restrictions, however, most surgery of this type occurs between the ages of 50 to 80 years of age. Your health is a big consideration. If you are suffering from heart problems or, have a chronic health condition, surgery may not be an option. Infections and blood clots can arise but, this is extremely rare. The benefits far outweigh the risks.
It is good to consider why you want treatment:
A complete knee replacement today is much more efficient than ever and, also, less invasive. Recovery time is quicker, and the success rate is very high. Once the surgery is over, there is less time spent in the hospital and you will be able to go home and really start the recovery process. To live without severe pain or stiffness is life changing. You can exercise, you can move, and you can sit in comfort. Importantly, you can get life back on track, hopefully, meeting friends and family regularly and avoiding low or fluctuating mood caused by pain and isolation.
If you are considering having a full knee replacement you are certainly not on your own. Many famous names are on the list and in the case of Steve Tyler from the rock band Aerosmith, it is hard to imagine that he had surgery as his movement is as good as ever.
Need to find out more information about your options for surgery? At the FRFX website, you can arrange an appointment with a medical professional. There really is no need to be in severe pain in modern times. Help is at hand.
