Knee Pain Is Debilitating: Signs That Indicate The Need For A Knee Replacement Surgery

 Is intense knee discomfort disrupting your peace of mind and interfering with your everyday tasks? If so, you might need to consider knee replacement surgery. In addition to knee pain, several other symptoms suggest it may be time for this crucial procedure to improve the quality of life.

Knee pain is a common occurrence as one grows older. However, a large number of youngsters under 40 are currently battling it. The causes of knee pain are osteoarthritis, genetics, stress, obesity, and injuries. Poor alignment of the legs or flat feet can lead to excessive strain on the knee joint during movement, often manifesting as discomfort after activities like running or even prolonged sitting. Knee pain is increasingly prevalent among athletes due to the repetitive stress on the joint. The pain tends to become unbearable and one will find it difficult to stand, walk, or do other activities with ease. One is often recommended a knee replacement surgery to manage knee pain. During knee replacement surgery, a prosthetic joint made of metal or plastic is implanted to substitute either a part or the entirety of your natural knee. While this surgical procedure requires significant recovery time, it can provide that much-needed relief that often lasts for the rest of your life. However, this surgery is not recommended until you experience severe pain that impacts the range of motion and mobility. So, when conservative treatment fails, one will be required to undergo knee replacement surgery. These are some of the signs and symptoms that will indicate the requirement for knee replacement surgery.

*Watch out for these warning signs*

· Persistent discomfort and pain: If you experience pain while walking, exercising, standing, sitting, climbing stairs, or sleeping at night, it might be time to go for a knee replacement. This pain can hinder your mobility and disrupt your sleep. You may notice swelling and stiffness in your knees when the weather outside is damp. Not only this, there can be a grinding sensation as the bones in your joint rub against each other. Undergoing knee replacement surgery can help alleviate this discomfort.

· Knee joint deformities can occur due to severe discomfort. If you experience excruciating pain, you might observe that your legs are curving inward or outward as a result of arthritis. As the condition advances, the knee may develop a bent appearance or become knock-kneed. In cases where this deformation continues to worsen, a knee replacement is a good option.

· Restricted movement: As one becomes older, he/she will notice reduced joint flexibility, which can lead to increasingly limited movement. Stiffness in the knee that hampers your ability to move may signal a more significant underlying problem. If you need the support of a stick while walking or find it difficult to climb stairs, sit down with folding legs, or cross legs. Is cycling or exercising becoming a task for you or if you are unable to bend down while picking an object then you need knee replacement surgery.

· Swollen knees: If the knee swelling is there even after taking medication or physical therapy for a longer time then you will be asked to undergo surgery.

· Lack of sleep due to constant knee pain: If your nighttime sleep is impacted due to knee pain then the surgeon may suggest surgery.

*Dr Aashish Arbat, Orthopedic & Joint Replacement Surgeon, Jehangir Multispeciality Hospitals, Pune*