Should I Get My Knee Replaced?

Knee pain can significantly impact your daily life, and the decision about whether or not to have a knee replacement can feel overwhelming. But is surgery the right choice for you?

My name is Luke VanderZouwen, and I’m a physical therapist at Full Potential Physical Therapy. I’m here today to talk about knee replacements and share the factors you should consider, along with why it’s important to explore other options before surgery.

Important Variables When Considering Knee Replacement

The decision to get a knee replacement should not be taken lightly. In the presence of knee pain, the decision to get knee replacement surgery should be based on a number of important variables. Here’s what you should consider:  

1. How long has your knee been a problem?

Is your knee pain a chronic issue, or a recent one?

2. How old are you?

Most surgeons will not perform a knee replacement under a certain age due to how long the replacement will last.

3. How’s your general health?

Surgery is a major strain on the entire body, and certain factors like heart health, vascular health, and other comorbidities need to be considered to determine if you are a candidate for a safe surgery.

4. How bad is your pain?

Typically, surgery is reserved for those whose function is highly limited by their pain. 

5. Have you tried other treatment options first?

Knee replacement should be a last resort after other options have been explored.

Consider the Risks of Knee Replacement Surgery

There’s always risk associated with any surgical procedure, and knee replacement is no exception. There’s also a long healing process associated with the recovery from a replacement. 

Bone healing alone takes on average up to a year following this procedure, and there are also other soft tissues (like muscles, tendons, and ligaments) that will need to recover. This is why more conservative options should be exhausted prior to seeking out surgical intervention. These options can potentially include: 

• Injections
• Medications
• Weight loss
• General health promotion
• Exercise for knee health
• Physical therapy

How Physical Therapy Can Reduce Knee Pain & Improve Function

Physical therapists are trained to take a detailed history of your issue, perform an in-depth examination, and formulate an individualized plan based on your specific needs. Physical therapy can help address a lot of the variables that go into your decision of whether or not to get a knee replacement. Ideally, if you are considering a knee replacement or see it as an inevitable feature of your future, we’ll help make the difficult decision a lot easier. 

Evidence is mounting that physical therapy can be a means to reducing pain, improving function, improving strength and mobility, and even promoting some healing in arthritic knees. I advise you to explore the option of physical therapy first. There’s little to lose from trying and it may even make the decision to undergo a knee replacement, a moot point. This would be an ideal situation, and I’ve seen it happen before. 

If ultimately a knee replacement is needed, you will be more confident in that decision. You will likely have gained strength and range of motion that can improve your postoperative recovery, and you’ll learn tips to reduce your pain as you wait for your procedure. 

Reach Out to Full Potential PT for Personalized Support

If you have more questions about whether to pursue physical therapy due to knee issues, please do not hesitate to reach out to Full Potential at (616) 537-2837. We offer free consultations to discuss your concerns and help formulate a plan specific to your needs.