Learn why your knees hurt and what you can do to find relief.
Knee PainFrom walking up and down stairs to getting out of bed in the morning, aching and pain in your knees can really hold you back. The second leading type of chronic pain, knee pain may be the result of an injury to a tendon or swelling within the joint. The most common cause of knee pain is arthritis.
Wear, Tear and Repair
The largest, strongest joint in your body, your knee is where your shinbone and thighbone meet. A healthy joint has plenty of cartilage to cushion your bones and provide smooth, stable support. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage wears away and becomes frayed and rough. This may cause the bones to rub together or produce bone spurs.
The pain of osteoarthritis can develop during the course of many years, and pain generally worsens over time. Your doctor can help you find a treatment plan to stop knee pain and get you back to normal life.
Do I Need a Knee Replacement?
During a knee replacement, the damaged bone and cartilage are removed and replaced with a metal and plastic joint. Before undergoing surgery, your doctor will recommend other options, including:
- assistive devices
- knee injections
- over-the-counter pain relievers
- physical therapy
- prescription medication to stop inflammation and pain
- weight loss
If you have tried nonsurgical options and still have knee pain that keeps you from sleeping or participating in normal activities, you may need a knee replacement. Almost all patients who choose knee surgery find that they get relief from their arthritis following rehabilitation. Since knee joints can last for as long as 20 years, there is often no age restriction on getting a knee replacement.
If conservative treatments haven’t eased your knee pain, joint replacement surgery can help. To learn how to get relief from knee pain, register for a free seminar at PorterJointCare.com.
