Knee problems often cause you to miss out on the things you love. When your pain is so severe that you can’t live normally, it creates problems with your work and social life. There are conservative measures that help with knee problems, but how do you know when it’s time to consider a knee replacement?
At the Spine and Orthopedic Center of New Mexico, located in Roswell, New Mexico, our team offers expert evaluations and prompt treatment of knee pain. Our orthopedic specialist, Dr. Omar Osmani, and our team offer knee replacement surgery when your pain interferes with every aspect of your life.
Osteoarthritis is the leading cause of damage to knee joints, especially as you get older. This form of arthritis causes damage to the cartilage, which provides a protective layer over the bones and allows your joint to move smoothly.
Rheumatoid arthritis is another chronic form of arthritis that causes knee pain and joint deterioration. In this form of arthritis, your immune system mistakenly invades and attacks the lining in your joint space, causing inflammation and pain.
Repeated stress on your knees also leads to wear and tear as you get older. The stress could be from physical labor or simply being overweight for much of your life. Repeated stress leads to injuries that, over time, cause damage in your joint.
Not all knee pain requires joint replacement surgery, but it’s important to know when you should consider this as a treatment option. Dr. Osmani helps you determine if this is the next reasonable step in your treatment.
When you’re living with knee pain day in and day out, it’s hard to plan ahead or even get out of bed in the morning. Rest and home therapies only go so far, especially when your joint’s suffered years of damage.
Making the decision to consider knee replacement surgery isn’t easy, but the following signs should signal you to put it on your radar:
If your knee has become deformed from either arthritis or trauma, it could also signal the need for a knee replacement. This is especially true if the deformity is making it hard for you to walk or get around.
Needing an aid to walk is also a red flag when it comes to knee pain. If you require the use of a walker or cane to move around, a knee replacement could help restore your mobility.
When you’ve reached your limit on pain and limited mobility, Dr. Osmani helps you decide if a knee replacement is the best course of treatment for you.
Before your procedure, Dr. Osmani discusses the surgery with you and what you can expect during and after your knee replacement. You’ll need to have some blood drawn before the surgery and may need to get fitted for crutches or other devices for your recovery.
You’ll be under anesthesia during the surgery, so you’ll need a driver to get you home, unless you’re spending the night in the hospital. Once you’re asleep, Dr. Osmani makes an incision in your knee to access the joint.
Dr. Osmani removes the damaged areas in your joint then measures the defect and replaces it with a custom prosthetic. The prosthetic is made of both metal and plastic, and forms a new, smooth surface in your joint.
The knee prosthetic is very durable and acts exactly like your normal joint. You can have your entire joint replaced or only part of the joint. Dr. Osmani uses MRI imaging to determine which type of replacement you need.
If you’re tired of dealing with chronic knee pain and would like to learn more about knee replacement surgery, call our office at 575-623-9101 or book an appointment online today.
