Struggling with constant knee pain or stiffness? Discover the 7 signs indicating you might need knee replacement surgery. Consult Kardiolita Hospital for expert advice.
Struggling with an ailing Knee? Do you regularly feel knee pain or stiffness? You could need Knee replacement surgery.
Osteoarthritis, joint infection, traumatic injuries, and more can all prevent normal knee function. These conditions either gradually or rapidly degrade knee function, making leading a normal life uncomfortable or even impossible.
Knee replacement surgery removes the damaged bone and joint tissue, replacing it with a state-of-the-art prosthesis. But how do you know if you need a knee replacement? Look for these seven signs to see if you need to book an appointment with Kardiolita Hospital.
7 Signs You Need Knee Replacement Surgery
- You Have Chronic Knee Pain
- You Are Unable to Complete Routine Tasks
- Your Joint Shows Signs of Advanced Arthritis or Damage
- Your Knee is Always Swollen
- You Receive No Relief from Conservative Treatments
- Your Knee Is Becoming Deformed
- You Just Can’t Take It Anymore
1. You Have Chronic Knee Pain
Continuous pain is the surest sign you need to undergo knee replacement surgery. However, this does not include pain occurring exclusively during intense activities. For example, if you feel a sharp twinge after jumping, the underlying condition will likely heal with rest or minor surgery.
Instead, the pain should be present when resting or during the night. If the pain is present even after treatments like physiotherapy or steroid injections, it’s an even clearer sign that surgery may be necessary.
2. You Are Unable to Complete Routine Tasks
Commonly referred to as Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), these involve the basic tasks required to look for yourself. As a rule, the timing of a total knee replacement depends on the impact it could have on your quality of life. The less you can do, the more critical the knee replacement is.
Here are some activities you might not be able to perform:
- Walking: Walking long distances, or even short ones, might be painful or impossible.
- Climbing Stairs: Going up or down stairs can be particularly challenging and risky.
- Standing for Extended Periods: Tasks like cooking, ironing, or washing dishes might be difficult.
- Kneeling: Activities like gardening, cleaning the floor, or praying might be impossible without pain.
- Driving: Some might find driving challenging, especially if the affected knee is used for the pedals.
- Bathing: Stepping into a bathtub or standing in a shower might pose challenges.
- Shopping: Walking through stores or standing in lines might be exhausting or painful.
- Carrying Heavy Objects: The added weight can place strain on the knees.
3. Your Knee Joint Shows Signs of Advanced Arthritis or Damage
Been to see your local doctor? They’ll likely refer you to the hospital for an x-ray or CT scan. Clear signs of degenerative joint disease can be identified on these scans, helping diagnose the underlying condition. Common causes of advanced knee joint damage include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, joint infections, and posttraumatic arthritis.
Doctors will look for:
- Joint Space Narrowing: The gap between bones in a joint gets smaller because of worn-out cushioning.
- Bone Spurs: Extra bone growths form around the joint edges.
- Hardened Bone Below Cartilage: The bone just under the joint surface gets thicker and harder.
- Bone Cysts: Small fluid-filled pockets appear in the bone near the joint.
4. Your Knee is Always Swollen
If your knee is swollen long-term or looks different to your other knee, it could be a sign of an underlying condition. Swelling usually occurs due to fluid buildup after trauma or degeneration.
Knee swelling, despite the use of anti-inflammatory medication, steroid injections, or physical therapy, suggests permanent damage to the knee. Such individuals are prime candidates for knee replacement surgery.
5. You Receive No Relief from Conservative Treatments
Knee replacement surgery is the last resort after all other treatments have failed. First, your doctor will try conservative measures such as anti-inflammatory medications, steroid injections, or physical therapy.
For most patients, these interventions are effective at reducing symptoms. However, you should look for alternative options if you feel persistent pain despite treatment.
Even individuals who once felt relief from medications and injections can see a decline in their effectiveness. Because the loss of cartilage in osteoarthritis is permanent and degenerative, these conditions continue to degrade the joint. Sooner or later, surgery becomes the only option.
6. Your Knee Is Becoming Deformed
Advanced arthritis affects your gait. Either because of pain or changes in knee function, your new walk will affect the structure of your knee. Two common deformities are:
- Knock-kneed (Genu Valgum). Legs curve inward at the knees, making the knees touch while the ankles are apart. It can lead to uneven wear and degeneration on the outer side of the knee joint.
- Bowed Leg (Genu Varum). Legs curve outward, making a gap between the knees while the ankles touch. It can lead to uneven wear and degeneration on the inner side of the knee joint.
7. You Just Can’t Take It Anymore
Dealing with chronic knee pain, stiffness, swelling, and deformities takes an emotional and physical toll. Few people have the strength to keep going year after year as their symptoms gradually worsen.
When individuals reach a point where the pain is unbearable and conservative treatments no longer work, knee replacement surgery is the sensible option. Not only will it restore a person’s quality of life, but it also provides instant and long-term relief from pain and discomfort.
Knee Replacement Surgery at Kardiolita Hospital
Don’t continue living in pain and discomfort. If you require knee replacement surgery, seek a safe, affordable, and reliable solution: Kardiolita Hospital.
Renowned among Irish patients looking for treatment abroad, Kardiolita Hospital provides high-quality knee replacement surgery at a fraction of the cost (usually around a tenth of the price). And with experienced orthopaedic surgeons, nurses, and physiotherapists, we’re experts in getting you back on your feet.
Want to learn more? Book a consultation with Kardiolita Hospital to explore your options and put an end to your pain.
