6 Signs That It May Be Time for Knee Replacement Surgery

Orthopedic surgeons perform nearly 800,000 knee replacements each year in the United States. This major medical procedure is often recommended after nonsurgical treatments fail to provide relief for your knee pain, and it has the power to transform your quality of life.

Surgery involves replacing your damaged knee joint with an artificial joint, and it can help you regain mobility and reduce pain. The procedure has consistently high patient satisfaction, but it’s not always easy to know when it’s time to consider surgery for yourself. 

As an experienced orthopedic surgeon, Karl Siebuhr, MD, can help you make your decision. He and our team at Reconstructive Orthopaedics of Central Florida in Ocala provide comprehensive joint surgery evaluations. Here are some of the most common signs that it might be time for knee replacement surgery.

1. You have osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are the two most common types of arthritis, and they’re top causes of chronic knee pain and mobility issues. Both OA and RA cause joint deterioration that progresses with time. That means if you have advanced arthritis, knee replacement surgery could be your best option to alleviate the joint pain for good.

2. Your pain interferes with daily activities

Because your knees bear your full body weight when you stand and walk, chronic knee pain can get in the way of your daily life. Sometimes, knee pain may be so severe that it interferes with sleep, too. If your pain is making it difficult to perform daily activities like walking, climbing stairs, or getting up from a chair, it might be time to consider joint replacement surgery.

3. You’re dealing with stiffness and reduced mobility

Knee damage from arthritis or injury isn’t just painful — it makes the joint stiff, too. A stiff knee reduces flexibility in your leg, and you might find it difficult to fully bend or straighten your knee. If you regularly experience stiffness in your knee joint that limits your mobility, it may be time to consider surgery.

4. You have chronic inflammation and swelling

Along with pain and stiffness, severe joint damage can cause chronic inflammation and swelling. This can worsen your pain and further limit your range of motion, and it may not respond to traditional treatment. In these cases, knee replacement surgery could offer a more permanent solution.

5. Nonsurgical treatments don’t help your pain

There are a lot of nonsurgical treatments for joint pain. Medication, physical therapy, injections, and assistive devices are usually the first line of treatment for knee pain and mobility issues, and they’re very effective for some people. However, if you’ve tried all of the conservative treatment options and you still have debilitating knee pain, knee replacement surgery may be the next step.

6. You’ve had failed previous knee surgeries

Sometimes, knee replacement surgery is a good option to correct problems from previous surgeries. If you’ve previously undergone knee surgery and it didn’t provide adequate relief from your symptoms, you might be a candidate for knee replacement.

Knee replacement surgery is a significant decision that you shouldn’t take lightly, but you don’t have to make the decision on your own. If you’re dealing with chronic knee pain and mobility issues that interfere with your daily activities, schedule an appointment with Dr. Siebuhr and our team to learn if you’re a candidate.

Call our office in Ocala, Florida, at 352-877-2360 or request your consultation online to get started.