Today, advances in surgical techniques and technologies have revolutionized knee replacement surgery, allowing more patients to consider treatment sooner. While concerns and worries are normal when considering surgery, the information listed below may help you with your decision.
Myth # 1:
“Arthritis pain is just part of aging. It’s just something you learn to live with.”
Reality:
Osteoarthritis affects nearly 27 million Americans today and will affect potentially up to 72 million people by 2030.1 Yet many Americans choose years of conservative care (physical therapy, drugs, injections) to lessen, but not eliminate, their joint pain.
While more than 500,000 total knee replacements are performed each year in the U.S., it is estimated that more than double that number of people postpone the procedure although they are good candidates.2 Many slowly begin to give up doing things that are important to them. If everyday activities are causing pain and interfering with your daily life, you may benefit from talking with an orthopedic surgeon, no matter what your age.
Myth # 2:
“A knee replacement won’t feel natural.”
Reality:
There have been significant advances in materials, designs, and surgical procedures for knee replacement. Continued improvements in implant design and surgical techniques allow for implants that closely mimic the feel and movement of a natural knee.
Myth # 3:
“I’m too young for a knee replacement.”
Reality:
Candidacy for a knee replacement is not based on age, but on the person’s level of pain and immobility. In fact, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, 38% of all patients undergoing a knee replacement today are younger than 64 years old.3
Often times, a patient is actually fearful about the uncertainty of surgery. Yet many of these same patients often wish they had done it sooner. Once they are able to resume many of the activities they enjoyed before the surgery, with increased mobility and with less pain, they are very happy they had the surgery.
Myth # 4:
“I should wait as long as possible to undergo knee replacement surgery.”
Reality:
Many patients who could benefit greatly from a knee replacement wait too long. Delaying surgery lowers a patients’ quality of life not only before the operation, but even for up to two years following surgery according to a study in Arthritis & Rheumatism.4 Waiting too long can result in damage to the back and other joints as well.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that continues to damage the joint and delaying surgery makes both surgery and return to activity more difficult.
Myth # 5:
“All knee implants are the same.”
Reality:
Talk to your orthopedic surgeon about your individual needs and the clinical history of the implant your surgeon recommends for you.
References
1. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health-Info/Osteoarthritis/default.asp
2. http://www.aaos.org/Research/stats/knee%20Facts.pdf
3. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/ad/ad385.pdf
4.”Timing of total joint replacement affects clinical outcomes among patients with osteoarthritis of the hip and knee.” Arthritis & Rheumatism, December 2002: http://www.ncvi.nim.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=retrieve%db=PubMed&list_udis=123483739&dopt=Abstract
5. McNulty, D. et al. “The Effect of Crosslinking UHMWPE on the In Vitro Rates of Fixed and Mobile-Bearing Knees.” ASTM STP 1445 American Society of Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken, Penn. Available Online at www.astm.org <http://www.astm.org> 2004
