As the baby boomers age, there appears to be more and more cases of arthritis and joint pain. Arthritis is a progressive condition where cartilage lining the bones in joints begins to break down. Once this occurs, it can lead to pain, decreased mobility and deformity of the joints. Eventually, the pain gets to the level that daily activities are affected. At this point, it’s time to contemplate options for pain relief. 

Manual Martinez, M.D., medical director of the Orthopaedic Unit at Lakewood Hospital, often fields one of the most frequently asked questions regarding arthritis and keen pain: “When is it time for a knee replacement?” Dr. Martinez typically has a consistent answer: “You will know when it’s time.”

Before surgery is considered, the physician meets with the patient and reviews the different types of medications available for the pain. There are both pills and injection forms that can help alleviate the symptoms of degenerative arthritis. However, there is no medication that has been proven to reverse the degenerative process of arthritis. Most of the medications recommended control the symptoms of pain, decreased mobility and swelling, but when medicines no longer ease the pain; it’s time to consider surgical options.

Initially, cleaning out the joints arthroscopically may assist in some cases, but not always. Therefore, knee replacement is considered, which is actually a resurfacing of the knee joint with metal and plastic components. If x-rays show significant arthritis in the knee and medical treatment has not been successful, then the patient may be a candidate for knee replacement.

 

Additionally, it’s also important to consider quality of life. If the patient eventually gets to the point when he can no longer enjoy his favorite activities and his overall wellbeing is affected – he eventually becomes frustrated. When that time comes, total knee replacement may be the only option for relief. While knee replacement is an individual decision based on the severity of pain and disability, it is often the light at the end of a long tunnel of pain and frustration; therefore, the patient will know when it’s time to proceed with knee replacement.

Following total knee or hip replacement surgery at Lakewood Hospital, patients receive personalized medical attention in the Orthopaedic Unit. Specially trained nurses and therapists staff the Unit and focus on providing outstanding care so that patients achieve the best outcome possible.

To make an appointment with Dr. Martinez, or any of the orthopaedic surgeons on staff at Lakewood Hospital, call our free physician referral line at 1.866.733.6363.