Is Total Knee Replacement Right for You?

The decision whether to have total knee replacement surgery ultimately depends upon how you weigh the impact of arthritis on your life versus a small but measurable risk of complications. Your physician may refer you to an orthopedic surgeon for a thorough evaluation to determine if you could benefit from this type of surgery.
Recommendations for surgery are based on the extent of pain, disability, and general health status.

You may benefit from total knee replacement if:

  • Severe knee pain that limits everyday activities, including walking, going up and down stairs, and getting in and out of chairs.
  • Moderate or severe knee pain while resting
  • Chronic knee inflammation and swelling that doesn't improve with rest or medications
  • Knee deformity--a bowing in or out of the knee
  • Knee stiffness--inability to bend and straighten the knee
  • Failure to obtain pain relief from non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen, which are more effective in the early stages of arthritis.
  • Inability to tolerate or complications from pain medications include failure to improve with treatments such as cortisone injections and physical therapy.