When you have serious knee problems, just getting up off the couch and walking to the kitchen is a painful experience. In fact, many knee conditions cause mobility issues and make life difficult as well as painful. However, some people today are taking advantage of implantable medical devices, and the knee-joint is partly or completely replaced. Is this procedure right for you or not? Here is information to help you decide.
Common Reasons for Knee Replacement
The biggest reason for choosing implantable medical devices is stiffness and pain. For example, maybe you can’t do normal activities like climbing stairs, walking, or standing without pain. If this pain is severe and chronic, you might want to consider knee replacement surgery. Here are some more reasons:
* You are severely limited on what you can do.
* Testing shows damage to bone tissue.
* Nothing helps the pain, and your mobility problem – pain drugs or walking aides are no longer effective.
* Joint deformity
Reasons to Avoid Implantable Medical Devices
In some cases, you’re better off waiting or not going through with the surgery. For example:
* Infections – are you recovering from a recent infection? If so, you’re at high risk for post-operative complications, and it’s best to wait until the surgeon tell you everything is fine.
* Health concerns – people with heart conditions or diabetes are at high risk for implantable medical devices. Morbidly obese people should lose weight to lower their risk factors.
* Nerve damage – when pain is nerve related, replacing the joint may not help.
Other Considerations
Before you think about joint replacement surgery, talk to your doctor about your personal risk factors. Don’t get in a hurry, as this is one of the most important things you can do. Your doctor and surgeon are there to help you make an informed decision.
