Living with chronic knee pain can significantly impact your quality of life, but how do you know when it’s time to consider knee replacement surgery? As an orthopedic surgeon specializing in joint replacement, I frequently help patients navigate this important decision. Here are five key indicators that it might be time to discuss knee replacement with your doctor.
1. Persistent Pain That Limits Daily Activities When knee pain prevents you from climbing stairs, walking moderate distances, or getting up from a chair without assistance, conservative treatments may no longer be sufficient. If your pain persists despite rest, medication, and physical therapy, surgery could restore your mobility and independence.
2. Stiffness That Won’t Improve Morning stiffness that lasts more than 30 minutes or joint stiffness that doesn’t improve with movement and stretching can indicate advanced arthritis. When your knee feels locked or difficult to bend and straighten, replacement surgery may be the most effective solution.
3. Failed Conservative Treatments Before considering surgery, we typically recommend non-surgical approaches including physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections, and lifestyle modifications. If you’ve tried these treatments for several months without significant improvement, it may be time to explore surgical options.
4. Sleep Disruption Due to Pain Knee pain that wakes you at night or prevents you from finding a comfortable sleeping position suggests significant joint damage. Quality sleep is essential for healing and overall health, and persistent nighttime pain often indicates advanced arthritis.
5. Visible Deformity or Instability If your knee appears visibly deformed, gives way unexpectedly, or feels unstable during normal activities, the joint structure may be severely compromised. These symptoms can indicate advanced arthritis or ligament damage that may require surgical intervention.
The Next Step If you’re experiencing several of these symptoms, schedule a consultation with an orthopedic surgeon. We’ll perform a thorough examination, review imaging studies, and discuss all available treatment options to help you make an informed decision about your knee health.