Do I need to undergo a Total Knee Replacement?

Knee Pain is one of the most common complaints we come across these days. Moreover, if you consider yourself above the age of 60, I am sure almost 80% of you will complain so. Knee Osteoarthritis(OA), a degenerative disorder, is ordinarily seen in the population aged 60 and above. Well, can it be reversed? The answer is a NO!! But the process of degeneration can certainly be slowed down.

Let’s have a look at what are the possibilities for reducing knee pain when you suffer from Osteoarthritis.

• Medications/ Local applicants

Once you see a doctor, the first thing he would prescribe is some pain relief medications. These include Diclofenac, Acetaminophen and NSAIDs. Have you wondered how they work? All they do is relieve your symptoms of pain and inflammation. If you are one of them who has taken the medications, you’ll notice that your symptoms recur once you stop them. This is what they exactly do. Relieve your Symptoms!! They have no long-term benefits per se. 

Similarly with your local applicants like pain-relieving oils or gels. Till the time you apply them, you have a nice placebo. But once stopped, you are back to your troubles.

• Nutritional Supplements

Along with medications, you will be advised to take supplements like calcium, multivitamins and some cartilage regenerating drugs they say. Well, they do have an effect in sufficing your body’s daily micro-nutrient requirements. But they don’t cure your suffering of Osteoarthritis. So, if you are looking to suffice your daily demands, keep taking these supplements. They will certainly aid you in recovery.

• Physical Therapy

Physical therapy includes pain management and exercises. Various associations worldwide emphasize Exercise to be the first line of treatment in the management of Osteoarthritis. So, does this mean you need to hit the gym to exercise? Well, No!!

Physical therapy includes a structured therapeutic exercise program that will cater to a gradual decrease in pain and maintenance of the same for a prolonged period. A more holistic approach toward the treatment of OA will include exercising the entire kinetic chain. This includes exercising the lumbar spine, hip, knee, ankle and foot. A combination of mobility exercises, flexibility sessions, muscle strengthening exercises, and balance and stability exercises have proven to be an effective and long-lasting solution to Osteoarthritis. 

• Obesity management

Obesity is considered to be one of the leading causes of knee OA. Increased body weight along with poor muscle control is seen to increase the susceptibility to develop OA. Hence, it becomes extremely important to consider obesity if you are suffering from OA. 

Is high-intensity training, running, walking or any form of cardio activity possible when you have knee pain? However, it wouldn’t be advisable either to exercise with knee pain. Instead, manage your pain and start exercising gradually. This will not increase your pain levels and you can also exercise pain-free to keep burning your calories. Along with these therapeutic exercises, you should follow a good diet regime. This simply means consuming your macros and micros in adequate proportions. You don’t need a crash diet for the same. Make simple changes in your diet routine and you’ll certainly be on track to managing your obesity.

• Total Knee Replacement

TKR, as we all commonly call it, is a surgical procedure wherein your damaged joint is removed and then replaced with an artificial joint. The implants are made with metals and plastics. A new joint will help reduce your pain and improve the ability of your joint to move. But, this would be your last treatment option. Also, even though your joint is replaced, you cannot run away from exercising. Exercise alone is going to help this new joint mobile. 

Surgery should be considered if:

• Severe knee pain limits all your daily activities

• Moderate or severe knee pain is present while resting, day or night

• Long-lasting knee inflammation and swelling don’t get better with rest/medications

• Deformities like severe bowing are developed

• Pain is unrelieved from NSAIDs or you are unable to tolerate them

To sum this up, Total Knee Replacement should be undergone only if all other treatment strategies fail. Exercise should be your first line of treatment for OA. If your pain still persists on prolonged treatment with exercise alone, you may consider taking up surgery. Yet, exercise remains your maintenance therapy. So, no matter whether you get operated on or you don’t, Exercise is Unavoidable.