Knee pain stemming from arthritis or another condition can significantly impact one’s quality of life. If you are living with persistent knee discomfort that interferes with your daily activities, you may be wondering: Who is a candidate for knee replacement surgery? In this article, we will outline factors that orthopedic surgeons take into consideration when determining whether knee replacement is the right course of treatment for a particular patient.
Who Is a Candidate for Knee Replacement Surgery?
When assessing who is a candidate for knee replacement, orthopedic surgeons look at a number of different individual factors. The patient’s level of pain and disability are considered, along with their overall health condition, age and activity level. A few common reasons why a physician may recommend knee replacement surgery include:
- Severe knee pain or stiffness has not improved with conservative treatment and continues to significantly limit the patient’s mobility and ability to perform daily tasks
- Swelling and inflammation in the patient’s knee have not been adequately resolved by medications, physical therapy and/or taking time off from activities
- The patient experiences chronic knee pain even while resting
- A knee deformity, such as a bowed knee, is present
The majority of patients who undergo knee replacement surgery experience a dramatic decrease in their knee symptoms and, in turn, considerable improvement in their mobility and ability to lead a normal life. While knee replacement surgery is most commonly performed on individuals over the age of 50, patients of any age may be a candidate for this procedure, if their symptoms warrant it.
Dr. Stephen Soffer Provides World-Class Surgical & Nonsurgical Knee Care
Hopefully, this article has offered helpful information on whether knee replacement surgery may be beneficial for you. If you are located in or near Reading, PA, you can depend on Dr. Stephen Soffer to suggest a treatment plan that’s tailored to your needs & to provide cutting-edge orthopedic care.
Dr. Soffer is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with years of experience who completed a fellowship in Sports Medicine with world renowned Sports surgeon Dr. James Andrews. Dr. Soffer will use state-of-the-art diagnostic methods to evaluate your knee condition. Furthermore, he will carefully take your personal situation into account to help you decide whether knee replacement is appropriate for you at this time, or if another treatment is a better option. To schedule an appointment to address your lingering knee symptoms with Dr. Soffer, call our office today at 610-375-4949.
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