Knee Services
When to See a Doctor About Knee Pain
Knee pain is a fairly common symptom for adults to experience from time to time. However, pain lasting more than a few days could be a sign of something more serious, especially if you do not see improvement after treating the pain with rest, ice, compression, elevation and anti-inflammatory over-the-counter medications. Other symptoms, such as stiffness, swelling or inability to straighten or bend your knee could be a sign of aging or injury. However, these symptoms could also be a sign of arthritis in the knee, especially if your pain has developed slowly, gotten worse over time, and is interfering with your normal daily activities.
Should you talk with a doctor about your knee pain? Take our free joint pain assessment or download an orthopedic guide to find out.
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What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis, or arthritis affecting the joints, is the most common form of arthritis. Sometimes called degenerative joint disease or “wear and tear” arthritis, this chronic condition affects more than 30 million U.S. adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With this condition, the smooth cartilage, the substance that covers the ends of bones and cushions them starts to break down, causing the underlying bones to rub together and potentially produce painful cartilage "pits."
Typically, osteoarthritis develops slowly, and the pain increases over time. As it progresses, ongoing cartilage degeneration can result in swelling, pain, stiffness and a reduced ability to straighten and bend your knee. Sufferers commonly seek treatment options that are less invasive at first, such as physical therapy, injections and using a cane or walker for support. However, the disease can become quite severe and debilitating when nonsurgical treatments lose effectiveness at relieving pain. At that point, joint replacement surgery - either total knee replacement or partial knee replacement - may be a good option for pain relief and improved knee function.
Start My Assessment Request an AppointmentWhat Happens During a Total Knee Replacement?
During a total knee replacement, the surgeon removes the damaged cartilage and a small amount of underlying bone at the upper ends of the shinbone (tibia) and the lower end of the thigh bone (femur). Then, metal implants are inserted to replace the parts of the bone that were removed. A plastic spacer is inserted between the metal components to help ensure the surfaces smoothly glide together. Finally, the surgeon resurfaces the underside of the knee cap, also called the patella.
Knee replacements have come a long way in recent years. Afterward, patients generally begin walking the same day or next day after surgery. In some cases, for patients who are healthy enough, surgery can be completed as an outpatient procedure, which does not require an overnight stay in the hospital. Your doctor can help you determine if you might be a candidate for an outpatient knee replacement.
Watch an On-Demand Seminar Request an AppointmentWhat Happens During a Partial Knee Replacement?
In a partial knee replacement, only a portion of the knee is replaced as this procedure is designed for patients whose disease is limited to one side of the knee. During surgery, the damaged part of the knee cartilage and bone is removed and replaced with a metal and plastic implant. The healthy cartilage, bone and attached ligaments are preserved. Often, this procedure is completed through a smaller incision than needed for a total knee replacement, allowing patients to enjoy faster recovery times than typical total knee replacement patients.
Curious to know more about knee pain treatment options, including surgery? Watch an on-demand online seminar or Request an appointment.
Watch an On-Demand Seminar Request an AppointmentRobotic-Arm Assisted Joint Replacement
Grandview Medical Center offers robotic-assisted surgical options for both knee and hip surgery for adults whose health is affected by medical conditions, such as mid-stage and advanced osteoarthritis. Robotic-assisted surgical treatments transform the way joint replacement surgery is performed by enabling surgeons to have a more predictable surgical experience with increased accuracy.
Patient results may vary. Consult your physician about the benefits and risks of any surgical procedure or treatment.