Knee Replacement How to Determine If You Need One

When it comes to determining whether its time to have a knee replaced, only you can determine it.
If you ask the your orthopedic surgeon they will tell you " you will know when its time" in other words when the pain becomes so un-bearable that you cannot walk effectively or, you cannot get a good nights sleep then its time. When day to day living becomes a chore due to the pain, its time to get to the operating room.

By postponing the surgery you are inviting other problems that will contribute to a delayed rehabilitation outcome. For instance, your surrounding musculature will undergo a shortening process which leads to contractures with the hamstrings or quadriceps which will prevent you from obtaining the knees full range of motion.

The longer the surgery is postponed you also develop faulty mechanics in your walking pattern which can lead to back pain and balance problems. Muscle atrophy and weakness begin to develop so you begin to witness a cascade of problems that can be tracked back to the knee itself.

If you have gone and obtained a minimum of two opinions from local orthopedic surgeons and both have determined the knee has to be replaced, then you can feel assured that setting a date to get it done is the next move to make.

Listening to advice on the streets on how its best to wait until you can't walk anymore and have to be pushed to the surgeon in a wheelchair is no longer valid or, recommended.

Many surgeons today will operate on patients in their 40s and 50s when it comes to joint replacement since the replacements have become more minimally invasive and, the prosthesis have become more durable.

Today there are knee prosthesis developed that have more of a rotational component and mimic the true anatomical knee which gives them a longer shelf life.

Dealing with chronic pain form a knee that is considered to be bone on bone in other words the cartilage is no longer effective in cushioning the joint, is just another day being spent in pain and creating a life changing event that is not acceptable to most.

I can tell you first hand having a knee replaced myself at 44 years of age was the best thing that I did.

Once you decide to have the knee replaced and, you go through rehabilitation the next words out of your mouth will most likely be " why did I wait so long"

Richard Haynes

Autor: Richard A Haynes Richard A Haynes
Level: Basic PLUS
I live in Punta Gorda Florida and have worked in the field of Physical Therapy since 1995. I have been a fitness consultant since 2000 ... ...

http://www.totaljointfitness.com

Added: January 20, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/