What makes you a candidate for knee surgery?
Asked by: Anastacio Langworth | Last update: July 12, 2025Score: 4.5/5 (23 votes)
What determines if you need knee surgery?
Knee replacement surgery can help ease pain and make the knee work better. To decide whether a knee replacement is right for you, a surgeon checks your knee's range of motion, stability and strength. X-rays help show the extent of damage.
Who is not a good candidate for knee surgery?
Patients who can walk on level ground without much difficulty, or who only have pain when going up and down stairs, are not good candidates for knee replacement surgery.
How do you know if you're a candidate for knee replacement?
- You have very bad arthritis pain, and other treatments have not helped.
- You have lost a large amount of cartilage.
- Your knee pain is keeping you from being active enough to keep up your strength, flexibility, balance, or endurance.
Who is a candidate for knee surgery?
The procedure is most often performed in older persons with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. But it may also be necessary for a young person with early onset arthritis. In addition, knee replacement can treat post-traumatic arthritis, which can happen after a serious knee injury.
Are you a good candidate for a total knee replacement?
Who Cannot have knee replacement surgery?
Patients who have thinning of the cartilage but not bone touching bone should not undergo knee replacement surgery, except in rare circumstances.
How bad does your knee have to be before surgery?
You may be offered knee replacement surgery if: you have severe pain, swelling and stiffness in your knee joint and your mobility is reduced. your knee pain is so severe that it interferes with your quality of life and sleep. everyday tasks, such as shopping or getting out of the bath, are difficult or impossible.
What tests are done to determine knee replacement?
Imaging exams of the knee such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans may also be done and can reveal bone defects that may influence the type of implant that should be used in the surgery. Correct implant selection is critical to a successful outcome.
Can injections really fix bad knees?
Knee gel injections work well for most knee pain, especially if you have mild to moderate arthritis. The effects generally last 6 to 12 months.
What is the best age to have a knee replacement?
In the United States, currently, the average age to undergo knee arthroplasty is around 65 years old. Mostly knee replacement surgery is performed in elders with severe arthritis, while those under the age of 50 are considered young and are asked to wait until the age of 65.
What is the downside of knee surgery?
Potential Complications
Though uncommon, this procedure could result in blood clots, nerve damage or infection. Additionally, the post-surgical recovery period can be long and quite uncomfortable. Finally, knee pain relief may not be complete, even after surgery, and future revision surgeries may be necessary.
What is the newest alternative to knee replacement?
CartiHeal™ Agili-C™ is an implant intended to repair damaged cartilage. It is absorbed by the body and is a new treatment option for patients. “I am passionate about preserving and repairing tissue in knee joints and getting people back to what they love doing.
Who is a bad candidate for surgery?
You have hypertension (high blood pressure) Previous heart attack or stroke. Previous complications during surgery. You're required to have an invasive and complicated procedure.
Is it better to have knee surgery or not?
Long-lasting pain isn't getting better.
If you've tried exercise, physical therapy, and pain medication but your pain isn't getting better, it may be time to consider knee replacement surgery. After knee replacement surgery, pain goes away for as many as 90-95 percent of younger patients.
Can an MRI show if you need a knee replacement?
MRI can help determine which patients with knee injuries require surgery. MRI may help diagnose a bone fracture when x-rays and other tests are inconclusive. MRI can detect abnormalities that might be obscured by bone with other imaging methods.
What is the hardest day after knee replacement?
What Are The Hardest Days After Knee Replacement? The first two to three weeks post-op are the hardest days after knee replacement.
What is the new injection instead of knee replacement?
Synvisc-ONE is a different way to treat osteoarthritis knee pain. Synvisc-One® (hylan G-F 20) is an injection that supplements the fluid in your knee to help lubricate and cushion the joint, and can provide up to six months of osteoarthritis knee pain relief.
Can you fix bone on bone in knee without surgery?
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Bone Marrow Concentrate (BMC) are two alternatives to surgery that can improve function and decrease pain without being as invasive as a knee replacement. PRP injections have been found to be more beneficial than other non-surgical management options for knee pain [5].
Are gel shots in the knee better than cortisone?
Cortisone shots usually work faster and more consistently than gel shots to relieve knee pain. Gel shots don't work for everyone, and when they do, they can take a few weeks to kick in. Cortisone shots kick in more immediately, but they only last a few months. Gel injections last an average of six months.
How does a doctor decide if you need a knee replacement?
If you need knee replacement surgery, your knee pain is likely to be persistent. It will likely disrupt your sleep, your daily activities, and won't respond to over-the-counter pain medications. In order to relieve pain, knee replacement surgery may be recommended by your doctor.
How long is bed rest after knee replacement?
How long should I stay in bed after knee replacement surgery? Typically, you should rest in bed for the first 24 to 48 hours. After that, light activity and movement are encouraged to promote healing and prevent complications.
What is the hardest orthopedic surgery to recover from?
- Spinal Fusion Surgery. Spinal fusion is a procedure where two vertebrae are fused to prevent the movement that is causing pain. ...
- Complex Spinal Reconstruction. ...
- Knee Replacement. ...
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Surgery. ...
- Shoulder Replacement.
What happens if you wait too long for knee surgery?
If you delay surgery, not only do you risk worsening joint damage, but your recovery afterward may be slower and more difficult. With weakened muscles and further joint deterioration, it will take longer to regain strength and mobility post-surgery.
Why can't you cross your legs after knee surgery?
It is important to avoid crossing your legs after knee replacement surgery as this can put undue stress on the new joint and cause pain.
What is the cost of knee replacement surgery?
A knee replacement surgery is expensive for many people. In India, the average knee joint replacement cost ranges from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 6 lakh. The price includes the surgeon's fee, implant cost, hospital room rent, OT charges, medicines, consumables, etc.