Total Knee Replacement

If you have severe knee damage it may be necessary for you to have a surgical procedure called a total knee replacement. Most often this damage will be done by some type of disease process that is causing harm to the joint. When you have a total knee replacement it means that this joint is replaced with an artificial alternative. Such a procedure can restore function and people who have it often find that it has given them back their independence. The success rate for this type of surgery is high and the risks are small. This is why for a lot of people it will be a great decision to go ahead and have this done.

Why Do Some People Delay Having a Total Knee Replacement?

If the total knee replacement can make such a huge difference to people's lives why is it that they delay? There are many reasons for this; for some people it won't be their decision to delay while for others it may be to do with fear. If we can't afford private surgery then the wait on public lists for this type of surgery can be a long one. This isn't really considered emergency surgery so there is no pressure on surgeons; it is also a very common complaint with many people waiting for the operation. If you are in the position of waiting for this type of surgery it can be hard; they good news is that the day will come when you will once again be more mobile.

Other people put off having a total knee replacement because of fear of the procedure. This is understandable as a lot of us don't even like visiting hospitals. There are risks with any type of surgery, but it is important to keep things in perspective. There is also a risk every time you get on an airplane or cross the road. The fact that this surgery can make such a huge difference to people's lives though, means that it will usually be a risk well worth taking. In reality being immobile because of our damaged knee can be a lot riskier to our health than having the surgery.

Although a total knee replacement can be a great decision it is also important to realise that there will be certain restrictions on your activities. You won't be able to take part in high impact sports and even jogging won't be allowed because of the strain it would put on the artificial knee. It will let you do many other things though that you would not be able to do with a damaged knee.

Some Final Thoughts on Total Knee Replacement

Every year about 70,000 total knee replacements occur in the UK. This is a very common procedure but it is one that can make a huge difference to people's lives. A century ago there was no such hope for people with a damaged knee joint so we are very lucky to have such treatments. This procedure means that people who have struggled to be mobile will suddenly get a new lease of life.