For many patients, undergoing knee replacement surgery is a great option for maintaining, or returning to, an active lifestyle.
The operation can be more extensive and the recovery more extensive than some people realize, though.
Dr. Slade Moore, orthopedic surgeon for Novant Health & Sports Medicine in Kernersville clears up common misconceptions about knee replacement, while offering candid advice for those wondering if surgery is the right path for you.
Get back to enjoying the activities you love.
Myth #1: Surgery is my only option.
Any surgery is a last resort. There are several things that can be done before surgery that can help treat arthritis pain on the knee. There are nonsurgical treatments like losing weight and exercise. And there are anti-inflammatory medicines, and at times, cortisone injections, which can be very helpful in reducing pain and inflammation in the joint.
Myth #2: I shouldn’t exercise on my sore knee.
Yes, the arthritis can get to the point where it prevents people from being able to exercise and then you’ve got to have a different discussion. But in general, with early to moderate arthritis, you can treat with lifestyle changes and low impact aerobic exercise. It helps to keep the muscles strong. It helps to lubricate the joints. It helps you to try to maintain a healthy weight. Exercise, I would say, is the best medicine. It cannot be overstated.
Myth #3: Losing weight won’t make a difference.
A pound of weight loss is about 4 pounds (of pressure) off the knee joint, so a 10-pound weight loss is about 40 pounds of stress off the joint. It can make a huge difference.
Myth #4: I should take pain medicine every day to treat knee pain.
I tell people to take medicine to the point where it’s beneficial to you, but you don’t need to take it every day. Maybe you only need to take it every third day, or every other day to manage symptoms. And if you feel you need to take daily pain medications, talk with your doctor before settling into that habit.
Myth #5: You can get injections to help grow cartilage, the connective tissue in joints.
Beware of places that advertise injections for knee arthritis will help grow cartilage back and take care of your problem. I have people who have come to me and spent thousands of dollars on injections, and they were never going to help.