When is Knee Replacement Necessary?

Conditions that cause joint destruction with loss of the normal cartilage (the normal smooth lining of the joint) may be treated with knee replacement.

Your doctor must first determine that there is no useful life in your knee, and that nonsurgical treatment would not significantly reduce any pain that you may be experiencing. Diseases such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, prior injury or an old infection can cause damage resulting in the need for knee replacement.

When the x-ray shows severe destruction of the joint, you must decide if the degree of pain experienced is severe enough that you are prepared to undergo the operation.

We feel that the risks of surgery are acceptable to allow you to return to a more active lifestyle when you have significantly altered your lifestyle and are not able to do the things you enjoy or must do on a daily basis. Your age is not a consideration in this decision.

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