As aches make stairs harder or osteoarthritic joints stiffen with age, many people find themselves suffering through discomfort rather than seeking treatment… especially when that may mean a knee replacement. Their reasons vary from cost concerns or inconvenience to fear or the belief their pain just isn’t “bad enough.” Regardless, they wait, while asking themselves, “When is enough enough? How do I know it’s time for a knee replacement?”
DISC’s James B. Chen, MD, a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in knee and hip total joint replacement, provided helpful insight during an interview with Woman’s World.
In determining whether a patient is a good fit for knee surgery, Dr. Chen looks at a number of factors. “This will be more evident with mechanical issues, such as bone-on-bone arthritis, fracture, bone erosions or other identifiable structural issues,” he explained in the article. “Even if such conditions make someone a candidate, I encourage patients to attempt nonoperative management, such as [physical] therapy, to strengthen the knee, as it can not only improve your current condition but will also at least prepare you for surgery.”
He then recommended that people ask themselves three questions when deciding whether a knee replacement is their best option:
- Am I unable to exercise even after short periods of rest?
- Is my instability severe enough that I’m falling?
- Is my knee pain persistent and impacting my daily activities?
If the answer is “yes” to one or all of these questions, it could be time to talk to a doctor about knee replacement to restore quality of life.
When asked what this surgery entails, Dr. Chen explained: “A knee ‘replacement’ is really a resurfacing. We are creating a new, smooth surface for the joint to glide on while fixing the components to allow for long-term fixation [secure attachment of the implant to the bone]. This resurfacing typically resolves the inflammation from bone-on-bone arthritis in addition to improving the knee joint’s stability by restoring its normal position.”
Read the full Woman’s World article HERE for more knee surgery information, including helpful tips for managing pain while you wait for surgery.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Chen HERE.
