If your quality of life has been so damaged by your arthritis that you can’t walk, you might benefit from a total knee replacement surgery. I have had two replacements-one on each knee. Prior to the surgery I was in pain all the time; it didn’t matter if I was on my feet, sitting down or lying in bed, I was always in pain. My knee joints on both sides had become so filled with arthritis that I could not straighten them. I was always in a half knee-bent position. Having my knees replaced was the greatest thing I ever did to improve my life, yet it was no walk in the park. The recovery time was long and grueling. After my first replacement on my right knee I was in constant pain 24 hours a day. I cried myself to sleep, and I woke up crying with the pain. It got to be severely depressing because the pain was a constant companion. I swore I would never put myself through that kind of pain again.
After 6 months though, the pain was subsiding pretty much. I was able to walk and stand on my right leg for long periods of time. I had pretty much processed the pain I went through as a necessary evil for the comfort I was now having with my knee. I began to think about getting my left knee done. I dreaded it with everything I had in me, but I knew the outcome would be for my good. I contacted my surgeon, Dr. Rainey, and asked him about replacing my left knee. By then the doctor had a new technique that would not require so much recovery time for me. I still hurt, but nothing like I experienced with the first surgery. I had physical therapy at home with both surgeries. I did great and within a couple of months I was feeling wonderful.
You might benefit from a total knee replacement if you have pain that is not relieved by medication; if your mobility is severely impaired; if your arthritis has caused a deformity in the knee; and if you cannot bend or straighten your knee. Normally the knee works like a pulley system. The joint is located at the end of your thigh and shin bones. Ligaments hold the knee in place. The joint is covered with cartilage and the surfaces that touch are covered with a lubricating synovial membrane. When everything works right there is no friction and there is no pain, but with arthritis the cartilage wears away and the rough surfaces grind together, making it very painful and disabling.
Your orthopedic surgeon will examine you and gather all the information about your condition to get a picture of your history. He/she will check your joint for range of motion, strength and stability. You may be asked to walk so your doctor can see if your leg is in or out of proper alignment. You will need to get some X-rays taken, and possibly and MRI so that your doctor can determine the overall condition that your bones and the soft tissues of your joints.
Almost everyone that has a total knee replacement will have a dramatic improvement in the function of their knee and a reduction in pain after recovery. What they couldn’t do before they can do easily after surgery. You may be advised to avoid high impact activities, such as running or jogging for the remainder of your life, however I have seen some knee replacement patients out on a tennis court playing tennis like nothing was ever wrong with them. I can’t do that, but I am glad that some people can.
There is every advantage to having the surgery, if you need it. However, there is a downside-it will wear out over time. At most, a knee replacement will last about 10 to 15 years, depending on how careful you are with it. The plastic cushion will wear out. It is important to treat the knee joint well, by keeping your weight down. The less strain you put on the knee the longer it will last. You can tell that the knee is wearing out if it starts to loosen up. When it starts to loosen, it may start hurting again. To prevent premature wearing, you can modify your activity in such a way that your joint could last for years.
