When is a knee replacement necessary?

The main reason for resorting to knee replacement surgery is osteoarthritis. The indication for surgery is based on the degree of disability of the person affected by osteoarthritis, among other arthritic diseases. Pharmacological treatments are available to alleviate pain, but none are sufficient to improve the patient's quality of life, which is why knee arthroplasty is used.

Knee replacement surgery is performed when the patient suffers from osteoarthritis, a disease associated with wear and tear or damage to the joint. In most cases, this condition is accompanied by reduced mobility and pain, even at rest.

Although there are various reasons why surgery is performed, the main cause is osteoarthritis or arthritis. Both pathologies, as well as being related to joint wear and tear, are also related to ageing. Therefore, the average age of patients undergoing arthroplasty is 65 years.

Knee replacement surgery is therefore the appropriate treatment when osteoarthritis affects the patient's quality of life. Normally, this disease is accompanied by daily treatment with painkillers to alleviate the pain, which in most cases is insufficient.

Most patients who undergo knee replacement surgery are between 60 and 80 years of age and suffer from osteoarthritis. However, the indication for surgery is not based on age, but on the degree of disability of the patient. There are therefore occasional cases in which younger patients may require knee replacement with an artificial prosthesis.

Before resorting to surgery, specialists recommend other treatments based on physiotherapy or medication to reduce pain and improve mobility. However, if this does not work, the orthopaedic surgeon will take the following into account when recommending arthroplasty:

• Severe pain that interferes with day-to-day tasks.
• Reduced mobility and joint stiffness
• Poor quality of sleep
• Depressive state due to pain and limited mobility

Knee replacement surgery is undoubtedly the best option when the symptoms associated with osteoarthritis make it impossible to carry out a normal daily routine. In addition to the physical improvements, there are numerous other benefits associated with knee replacement surgery.

The main cause of problems leading to the need for knee replacement is osteoarthritis (Osteoarthritis).

Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of the knee cartilage causing a lot of pain and reduced mobility.

In addition to osteoarthritis, there are other arthritic conditions that can lead to the need for knee replacement:

• Rheumatoid arthritis or arthritis caused by knee injuries.
• Fractures or trauma
• Cartilage tears
• Haemophilia
• Gout
• Bone dysplasia (diseases that cause bone deformity)
• Avascular necrosis (bone cells, affected by disruption of the blood supply, die and the bone weakens)

No, knee replacement surgery is not always necessary when suffering from osteoarthritis. 

The indication for knee arthroplasty is based on the degree of disability of the affected person, so those who usually need the intervention are patients who have reached the most advanced stage of the disease.

Osteoarthritis, in advanced stages, is a major reason for indicating total knee arthroplasty.

However, there are some symptoms or discomfort caused by osteoarthritis that affect daily life, which may be a key point in making the decision to go ahead with the surgery:

• Pain or stiffness in the knee that prevents normal day-to-day activities, such as:
• Sitting and standing
• Climbing stairs
• Needing a point of support, such as a cane or walker
• Pain or discomfort during times of rest, even during the day.
• Excessive medication to reduce chronic knee swelling.
• Severe deformity of the knee, usually visible as an inward or outward bend.

It is important to know that treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs, physiotherapy or injections will not stop the development of the disease, so improvements will be short term. Below you can read about some of the consequences of delaying prosthesis implantation when it is really necessary.

As we mentioned, arthroplasty is not an intervention that is recommended for people under the age of 50, unless the reason for resorting to it is of the utmost necessity.

Knee replacements usually last more than 20 years, as long as they are cared for and not put under too much stress. However, it is more likely that the prosthesis will need to be replaced if the first one is fitted at an early age.

For this reason, specialists may recommend physiotherapy or drug treatments to delay surgery.

But, what are the risks of delaying knee replacement surgery if you have osteoarthritis?

• Increasing loss of quality of life as time goes by.
• Being forced to take anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs to alleviate pain, which can be harmful to health.
• Deterioration of the knee and loss of muscle mass. This can lengthen the recovery time after surgery.
• Depressed mood due to not being able to lead a life without discomfort or limitations in terms of mobility.

If you would like to receive the surgical assessment of a specialist in Traumatology to confirm that, in your particular case, surgery is necessary, we remind you that Operarme offers you a free and immediate first consultation. 

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