The health condition of your knees is vital to your daily routine and activities. Severe pain in the knee can cause disruption to your lifestyle and eventually result in a negative disposition in life. If you are suffering from intolerable knee pain, your doctor may recommend total knee replacement surgery.
The thought of surgery can make anyone feel apprehensive at first, but having a knee replacement can be life-changing. Despite being a major surgery, total knee replacement is more common than you think. About 800,000 knee replacements are performed in the United States each year, and the procedure and techniques have only gotten more advanced throughout the years.
What Is Total Knee Replacement Surgery?
Most knee replacements, or knee arthroplasties, are designed to replace the entire knee joint. In total knee replacement (TKR), an orthopedic surgeon reconstructs the damaged knee joint with synthetic materials. Metal and plastic parts will replace the ends of the thigh and shin bone, as well as the kneecap. Total knee replacement surgery targets all three sections of the knee: the inner or medial side, the outer or lateral side, and the patellofemoral/anterior section or under the kneecap.
To perform a total knee replacement surgery, an orthopedic surgeon will make a large incision on the knee. This traditional approach is most common, though minimally-invasive knee replacement surgery may be recommended for some cases.
Why Have Total Knee Replacement Surgery?
More than 90 percent of patients who undergo knee replacement surgery still enjoy its benefits even after 15 years.
Here are the top 5 reasons why you should consider total knee replacement surgery:
1. Reduce Pain And Stiffness
Pain the primary reason patients undergo total knee replacement surgery. Those who suffer from severe knee arthritis and other similar conditions experience knee pain, affecting their daily life.
As you age, the knee joint may also wear down and cause intolerable pain. Though some patients experience temporary knee pain after surgery, they enjoy years of pain relief after recovery.
2. Restore Mobility
Pain and stiffness can limit the movement of the knee joint. After knee replacement surgery, patients can regain knee mobility and return to doing the things they love. With the guidance of your orthopedic doctor and therapist, you can gradually perform activities such as walking, shopping, and even sports. Simple movements such as standing up and sitting down will no longer be painful after surgery.
3. Reconstruct Bone Deformities of the Knee
Those who suffer from knee pain may also experience bone deformities, such as bowleg or knee dislocation. These deformities not only lead to unnatural body posture; they can also limit movement and cause other body parts to compensate. Your orthopedic doctor is the best person to determine if total knee replacement can improve the structural integrity of your knee.
4. Other Medical Treatments Are No Longer Effective
Anyone who experiences pain or discomfort in the knee likely resorts to taking painkillers at first. Some work with a physical therapist to help improve mobility. For some people, weight loss helps remove unnecessary strain off their knees.
While these treatments are effective in the early stages of arthritis, there might come a time when these interventions don’t work anymore. In these instances, total knee replacement surgery is a promising option.
5. Improve Quality of Life
Chronic pain can dramatically reduce your quality of life. Being in constant pain can make you feel sick, keep you from doing the activities you enjoy, and prevent you from feeling happy and content with life. When other treatment options fail, knee replacement can be an effective way to alleviate chronic knee pain, allowing you to return to the life you once enjoyed.
Total Knee Replacement in Little Rock, AR
If you suffer from a severe knee injury or arthritis, total knee replacement might be your only option. Successful knee replacement surgery offers great outcomes. To achieve this, consulting with an expert knee doctor is the way to go.
If you live near Little Rock, AR, we have the best knee doctor for you at Bowen Hefley Orthopedics! Dr. Bill Hefley is a renowned orthopedic surgeon in Arkansas. As a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, you can rest assured that you will receive only the best medical care.
Contact our friendly staff at the Bowen Hefley Orthopedics today by calling (800) 336-2412 or by filling out our request form. See you soon!
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