| Knee replacement surgery is typically performed for | | | | lot of difficulty with climbing stairs Walking distance is |
| individuals who have severe osteoarthritis also known | | | | significantly limited Difficulty with bending your knee |
| as arthritis in the general community. The surgery | | | | to put your shoes and shocks on or cutting toenails |
| replaces the joint surfaces of the knee that have | | | | Amount of Pain |
| been affected by arthritis therefore allowing the | | | | In the early stages of arthritis, medications such as |
| individual to walk and move about with less pain and | | | | simple paracetamol or anti-inflammatories work well in |
| have better function. | | | | controlling the pain of arthritis. |
| In making the decision about knee replacement | | | | However, as time progresses, medication may not |
| surgery, a number of factors need to be taken into | | | | work as effectively. If the pain of knee arthritis is |
| consideration. | | | | unrelieved by medication, it may be time to consider |
| Quality of Life | | | | having a knee replacement surgery. |
| If your knee arthritis is significantly affecting your | | | | The time for knee replacement surgery varies |
| quality of life, you should seriously consider having a | | | | depending upon the individual. The individuals overall |
| knee replacement. The inability to get out and about | | | | health needs to be taken into consideration, the |
| in your later years not only affects your mental | | | | specific symptoms experienced due to the knee |
| health and attitude but it also impacts on the | | | | arthritis as well as the individuals stage of life. |
| progression or development of other diseases such | | | | A good outcome is experienced in around 95% of |
| as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. | | | | cases. An individual usually requires rehabilitation after |
| Disability | | | | surgery for around 6 weeks in order to improve their |
| This factor should be considered in conjunction with | | | | muscle strength and to ensure good movement of |
| an individual's quality of life. Specific things to consider | | | | the knee that has been replaced. |
| include: Significant pain at night keeping you awake A | | | | |