Misconceptions That Keep People From Seeking Knee Replacement
Thousands of people have knee replacements every year. Many other people could benefit from knee replacement, but they never go through with the surgery. Why? Well, in some cases, there may be circumstances that make it hard for them to undergo knee replacement just yet. But in other cases, these people hold some common misconceptions about knee replacement, and it's those misconceptions that are keeping them from getting the surgery. Here's what those misconceptions consist of.
You can't have your knee replaced until a certain age.
This used to be true, at least to some degree, so it makes sense why certain patients believe this misconception. Years ago, replacement joints only lasted about 10 or 20 years, so doctors would encourage younger patients to put their knee replacement off for as long as possible so they would not have to undergo a second one. But this is not an issue anymore. New joint replacement materials can last a lifetime, and if the replacement joint does suffer some wear, it can be repaired via a far less invasive procedure than the initial joint replacement. Don't base your knee replacement decisions on age. Orthopedic surgeons will operate on 30-year-olds and even some 20-somethings who have had bad knee injuries.
Knee replacement will limit your mobility.
This misconception likely arises from some confusion between knee replacements and fusion surgery. Fusion surgery is a procedure that fuses two bones together, limiting mobility in order to reduce pain. It's not common in the knees, but it is common as a way to treat ankle arthritis. Regardless of the joint, though, fusion surgery is very different from joint replacement. The point of joint replacement — and more specifically, knee replacement — is to restore and improve your range of motion, not limit it. Once you're healed, your range of motion with a replacement knee should be almost what it was as a young person. After all, it is a brand new joint!
Knee replacement will have you laid up for months.
This is a major surgery, and as such, it will take you time to recover. But most patients are able to bounce back from a knee replacement very quickly. You'll be up and walking, albeit in crutches, within a few days. And after a month or two of physical therapy, you'll likely be walking better than you were before surgery. If you're in pain and dealing with a reduced range of motion right now due to arthritis or a knee injury, you can expect things to get better, and quickly, after surgery.
Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of knee replacement and what it involves. Talk to your doctor to see if it's time to have your ailing knee replaced.