Knee Arthritis - Osteoarthritis and Knee Replacement

Do you suffer knee pain? Do you notice abnormalcartilage tears, knee pain and knee swelling.
knee swelling after walking or light physical activity?Aggressive physiotherapy is necessary after knee
Do you have osteoarthritis and are avoiding thearthroscopy and replacement surgery to gain this
doctor because you don't want knee surgery?much mobility. Activities such as cycling and swimming
Surgical knee replacement is a highly successfulpromote the strength building in the hamstrings and
treatment for arthritis. Many patients regain up toquadriceps.
90% of mobility and quality of life after surgery. YouRecovery from knee arthroscopy and replacement
may suffer from cartilage tears (meniscus tears).surgery is quicker now because the operation is less
There are two menisci in your knee, made up ofinvasive. Only a small 9cm incision in needed and no
tough cartilage conforming to your bones. If theseincisions into the quadriceps are required. Knee
tear or wear down, the bones rub against each otherreplacement surgery is not as unbearable as you
and cause severe pain. If cartilage tears are causedmight think - in fact the relief of knee pain and knee
through age and not traumatic injury, the symptomsswelling greatly improves the quality of life. There are
can appear arthritic. Whether you have a meniscusthings you should be aware of and steps you will
tear or osteoarthritis, you may need kneeneed to take when the surgery is over to get back
replacement surgery.your mobility, but the result will be a better quality of
Prior to any operation for knee pain or cartilagelife.
tears, you will need to discuss a range of issues withWhile there have been great advances in medical
your doctor or surgeon. He/she will make antechnology, a successful outcome is determined by
assessment of your knee including x-rays or otherthe patient's attitude and willingness to do the
imaging techniques. Drugs such as aspirin that you arenecessary therapy. Based on their experience, many
taking to deal with the pain and knee swelling maydoctors have somewhat low expectations for
affect the body's ability to clot blood - be sure to letrecovery and may not be very encouraging. It is up
your doctor know. Your doctor may refer you to ato the patient to find and follow an exercise program
surgeon for knee arthroscopy - where a smallthat has already shown proven results. Equally
camera is surgically inserted into the knee so yourimportant is finding a trainer or mentor who has a
orthopedic surgeon can diagnose the best procedure.positive attitude toward recovery from knee surgery
Knee replacement surgery has made great strides inand who can teach anyone the same mindset.
50 years. Patients used to be happy with 100Believing it can be done and working with someone
degrees of knee flexibility. Now, many patients findwho has already achieved the desired results is the
they get up to 155 degrees of flexibility with akey to returning to normal activities and remaining
greater sense of knee rotation and complete relief offree from pain.