Joint Injections: Knee Replacement Alternative Gel
Another alternative recommended by doctors and surgeons is gel knee injections, also known as viscosupplementation.
The injectables contain hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring compound found in the synovial fluid of the joints. The gel-like substance aids in joint lubrication, reduces inflammation, and promotes bone and cartilage growth.
Knee replacement alternative gel injections have been used for decades and are often a recommended course of action before a doctor recommends surgical therapy. A 2019 study found that newer monoinjections of hyaluronic acid gel can be just as effective as older options that require multiple once-per-week injections. This is great news as it means fewer trips to the doctor, less money out of pocket, and less pain.
Unfortunately, this, too, is often just a temporary solution. If a patient has osteoarthritis, the disease will continue to progress, and eventually surgery will be recommended by the patients doctor.
NSAIDs and gel injections can be effective. Oftentimes, though, they are just temporary solutions.
Disruption Of Everyday Activities
One of the main reasons to consider knee replacement is when pain that markedly limits everyday activities, despite the use of pain-relief medications.
To consider surgery, the patient should feel that arthritis pain causes some or all of the following issues. Their knee pain:
- Measurably impacts everyday activities, causing them patient to stay in the house more or avoid activity altogether
- Makes them unable to go up and down stairs
- Makes a cane necessary
- Does not respond to pain-relief medications and they feel the pain on an hourly basis
- Causes trouble sleeping at night
Three Days After Surgery I Mowed My Front Lawn
Living with knee pain was very difficult. Advil and Tylenol were my best friends at times. It hurt to walk, let alone to surf. Traditional methods were unappealing since they involved long recovery periods. With Nano® Knee, Stan says Going home just a few hours after surgery, I was already on my cell phone bragging to people, to my friends, how well I felt and how different this was from any other surgery I had in the past. Three days after surgery, I mowed my front yard.. I felt that good. Under a week after that, I went back to my office I walked during my lunches and was already up to a mile a day a week after, with no pain. I actually felt really, really good. The results speak for themselves. | Stan Bryson, 60-year-old surfer from Huntington Beach, California
You May Like: What Do You Do For Arthritis In Your Back
What Are The Stages Of Osteoarthritis
There are four stages of osteoarthritis. You probably wouldnt know if you had stage 1. In this stage there is minor wear and tear on your knee joint and possibly some bone spurs forming.
In stage 2 , you will probably begin having minor symptoms like pain when you first get up from sleeping, after sitting for a long time, or after exercise. Your X-rays will begin to show signs of arthritis, and simple remedies like stretching, exercise, and knee braces will ease your symptoms.
Stage 3 is considered moderate arthritis, and your symptoms will be more frequent and more significant. In this stage, the cartilage in the joint is wearing down, the space between the bones of the joint is narrowing, and more bone spurs will develop. In knee arthritis, pain and inflammation will be more pronounced when walking, running, and squatting, and treatments include over-the-counter medications, physical therapy, and possibly therapeutic injections in the joint.
Stage 4 is the most severe form of osteoarthritis and is characterized by a greater degree and increased frequency of pain. This arthritis pain is so severe, it will limit normal activity when it affects the knee anything from enjoying your daily walk to standing while cooking a meal.
People with severe knee arthritis usually get no or very limited relief from noninvasive treatments, and they will usually be recommended to have knee replacement surgery.
When Is Total Knee Replacement Surgery Recommended
Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other forms of arthritis can affect the knee. However, not everyone with knee arthritis is a candidate for total knee replacement surgery. Below are guidelines doctors use to decide when to recommend this surgery.
Who is eligible for total knee replacement surgery?Patients eligible for this surgery have:
- Knee pain that interferes with daily living and has not responded to appropriate nonsurgical treatments, such as exercise, weight loss, physical therapy, medications, steroid injections, and bracing.
- Moderate to severe arthritis in the knee that can be confirmed with medical imaging
Typical candidates for knee replacement will also have some combination of the following:
- Difficulty walking, going up stairs, and getting in and out of chairs
- Moderate to severe pain even while resting, which may affect sleep
- Knee deformity, such as bow-legs or knock-knees, that has resulted or been exacerbated by knee joint degeneration
- Knee swelling and inflammation that is chronic and not controlled with medication or rest
Sometimes a person may meet these criteria but knee replacement surgery is not recommended for other reasons.
Don’t Miss: What Does Methotrexate Do For Arthritis
How Common Is Knee Replacement Surgery
The surgery is very common. Surgeons started doing it in the 1960s, with regular updates to techniques and implants along the way.
Almost 800,000 knee replacements currently get performed each year in the United States. The surgery is often done in older adults whose knees have worn down over time. But its also become popular in middle age, as people want to stay active.
Summary And Clinical Applicability
The number of TKR surgeries for knee osteoarthritis has grown significantly over the last few years, largely due to the expansion of eligibility in patients with less severe symptoms. However, the benefits of TKR surgery in this population, which includes less-impaired patients, is unclear. Researchers found that TKR surgery for knee osteoarthritis provided greater benefit and cost-savings when performed in patients with more severe physical functioning.
âNot all patients with knee osteoarthritis are expected to benefit from total knee replacement to the same extent,â Dr Ferket told Rheumatology Advisor. âFor practicing clinicians, it would therefore be important to discuss with the patient what the chance is of having a relevant improvement of symptoms in the context of a potential adverse outcome. Ideally, also the costs to the healthcare system and society should be considered by physicians in the decision-making.â
âHowever, our study was not designed to provide answers for individual patients,â he added. âPatients may value outcomes of joint replacement very differently and the decision to undergo surgery should be made taking into account the patientâs preferences. More research should be done on developing and validating tools that can be used to guide the discussion about treatment between the clinician and the patient.â
Don’t Miss: Is Weed Good For Arthritis
When Its Time For Knee Replacement Surgery
Knee arthritis can get worse in spite of treatment. If youve tried these methods and are still dealing with pain, it might be time to discuss knee replacement with an experienced orthopaedic surgeon. Total knee replacement is a major procedure, but it can offer better quality of life and improved mobility that last for many years.
A total knee replacement is more of a resurfacing of the bones in the knee: the end of the femur , the top of the tibia and the inward facing surface of the patella, or kneecap. The surgeon removes the bony surfaces and replaces them with metal and plastic implants. The plastic serves the same purpose as the cartilage, helping the implants glide against each other smoothly.
There are constant innovations in the field of knee replacement. For instance, more surgeons are using regional anesthesia for the procedure, which can mean a shorter hospital stay compared with when general anesthesia is used. New multimodal pain approaches, surgical techniques and physical therapy after these surgeries are all improving a patients knee replacement experience.
What Is The Treatment For Knee Pain
Treatments for knee pain are as varied as the conditions that can cause the pain.
Medications
Medications might be prescribed to treat an underlying medical condition or for pain relief.
If you are taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain medications regularly for your knee pain, you should see your doctor to be evaluated.
Physical therapy
Sometimes physical therapy sessions to strengthen the muscles around the knee will make it more stable and help guarantee the best mechanical movements. Working with a physical therapist can help avoid injuries or further worsening of an injury.
Injections
Injecting medications directly into your knee might help in certain situations. The two most common injections are corticosteroids and lubricants. Corticosteroid injections can help arthritis and other inflammations of the knee. They usually need to be repeated every few months. Lubricants that are similar to the fluid already in your knee joint can help with movement and pain.
Also Check: What Drugs Are Used For Rheumatoid Arthritis
Can Arthritis Be Scraped Out Of A Joint
Arthritis is an inflammatory disorder that causes gradual damage to joints. Treatment is necessary to avoid further deterioration and restore mobility to the affected areas. One of the most prominent treatments for arthritis is joint restoration, where a surgeon essentially repairs or removes diseased tissue. Through this technique, surgeons can restore joint function while reducing the need for joint replacement.
Learn more about arthritis and how joint restoration helps improve outcomes so that you can better appreciate this medical procedure.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Surgery Complications
According to a recent Australian study, arthritis patients undergoing joint surgery had a nearly twofold increase in the risk of death 6 weeks after surgery and a nearly twofold increase in the risk of MI and death 1 year after surgery compared to people who had rheumatoid arthritis.
The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis can cause inflammation in other parts of your body as well. It increases your chances of developing serious health issues in the long run. By controlling your arthritis, you can reduce your chances of developing it in the first place.
Read Also: What Is Good To Take For Arthritis Pain
Knee Replacement Surgery Overview
Living with Arthritis is everything but a simple thing to be done. The patients with Arthritis have to actually go through a lot in their lifetime and we cannot even begin to understand them completely.
Luckily there are a lot of effective treatment plans such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, medications, herbal and natural remedies that these patients can use to relieve their symptoms.
But one thing that all of these treatment plans are not is cure. And that is how we are getting to knee replacement surgery.
Knee replacement surgery has been used for a while now to treat several conditions, however, in the last few years, more and more patients with Arthritis are asking their doctors to perform this procedure in order to relieve their Arthritis symptoms. Are you interested to find out more about this popular procedure?
Possible Complications Of Surgery
The complication rate following total knee replacement is low. Serious complications, such as a knee joint infection, occur in fewer than 2% of patients. Major medical complications such as heart attack or stroke occur even less frequently. Chronic illnesses may increase the potential for complications. Although uncommon, when these complications occur, they can prolong or limit full recovery.
Discuss your concerns thoroughly with your orthopaedic surgeon prior to surgery.
Infection. Infection may occur in the wound or deep around the prosthesis. It may happen within days or weeks of your surgery. It may even occur years later. Minor infections in the wound area are generally treated with antibiotics. Major or deep infections may require more surgery and removal of the prosthesis. Any infection in your body can spread to your joint replacement.
Blood clots. Blood clots in the leg veins are one of the most common complications of knee replacement surgery. These clots can be life-threatening if they break free and travel to your lungs. Your orthopaedic surgeon will outline a prevention program, which may include periodic elevation of your legs, lower leg exercises to increase circulation, support stockings, and medication to thin your blood.
Blood clots may form in one of the deep veins of the body. While blood clots can occur in any deep vein, they most commonly form in the veins of the pelvis, calf, or thigh.
Recommended Reading: How To Tell If It’s Arthritis
The Pros And Cons Of Knee Replacement Surgery
If you have severe arthritis or an injury to your knee, you will most likely require knee replacement surgery in order to relieve pain and restore your ability to walk. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, knee replacement surgery usually requires a six-month recovery time, but it can take up to 12 months for the patient to fully recover. The most serious disadvantage of knee replacement surgery is the wear and tear of replacement joints, as well as some discomfort and numbness. In the early stages of arthritis, we can now say that knee replacement is not always effective. The pain after the initial knee replacement is expected, but it should not be severe. In the first few days after surgery, you may experience the most intense pain, but your doctor will prescribe pain medication to meet your needs. Because knee replacement is a major operation, it is only recommended when other treatments, such as physiotherapy or steroid injections, have not reduced pain or improved mobility.
It Could Lead To Complications During And After Surgery
Because dealing with chronic pain and reduced mobility can take a toll on your physical and emotional health, delaying your surgery could lead to additional complications during and after your knee replacement. If you experience weight gain, low endurance, or get diagnosed with a cardiac condition or similar ailment, you may require a more complex procedure and longer estimated recovery time.
Remember: as the joint deteriorates, the overall replacement process will become more complex as the surgeon must navigate increased joint deformity while operating on someone with suboptimal health. This means that your surgery may take longer and leads to a higher risk of postoperative concerns like blood clots, infections, or obstacles to recovery.
Additionally, most patients experiencing late- to end-stage osteoarthritis are older individuals. Old age is associated with an increased risk of surgical complications and slower recovery times.
Also Check: How Do I Know If I Have Psoriatic Arthritis
Protecting Your Knee Replacement
After surgery, make sure you also do the following:
- Participate in regular light exercise programs to maintain proper strength and mobility of your new knee.
- Take special precautions to avoid falls and injuries. If you break a bone in your leg, you may require more surgery.
- Let your dentist know that you have a knee replacement. Talk with your orthopaedic surgeon about whether you need to take antibiotics prior to dental procedures.
- See your orthopaedic surgeon periodically for routine follow-up examinations and X-rays. Your surgeon will talk with you about the frequency and timing of these visits.
Adding Or Removing Some Bone Around A Joint
If you have osteoarthritis in your knees but youâre not suitable for knee replacement surgery, you may be able to have an operation called an osteotomy. This involves your surgeon adding or removing a small section of bone either above or below your knee joint.
This helps realign your knee so your weight is no longer focused on the damaged part of your knee. An osteotomy can relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis, although you may still need knee replacement surgery eventually.
Also Check: What’s Good For Neck Arthritis
What Is Knee Replacement Surgery
Knee replacement surgery is a medical procedure also known as Arthroplasty. It is usually performed whenever, due to various reasons, replacement of a damaged, worn off or diseased knee is required and an artificial knee joint is being used. Knee replacement surgery is a routine operation which has been performed for a several thousand times until now.
It is a surgery that can be done on any patient with no consideration of its age, although it is most commonly done among patients between the ages of 60 and 80.
The most common cause that leads to the requirement of knee replacement surgery is osteoarthritis, but rheumatoid arthritis, gout, knee injury, knee deformity, and bone dysplasias are often reasons that require bone replacement surgery.
The knee replacement surgery can be either in the form of a total knee replacement or in the form of partial knee replacement.
Also Check: Can You Use An Inversion Table After Knee Replacement
Injections For Knee Pain
There is good science behind cortisone shots and other injections, such as hyaluronic acid injections, that lubricate the inner workings of the knee and help relieve arthritis pain.
According to experts, there is less evidence supporting the benefits of other injectable substances, including platelet-rich plasma and concentrated bone marrow or stem cells, but further studies will reveal more about their efficacy in treating knee arthritis.
Injections can provide temporary relief typically a few months which can help you stay on your feet and postpone surgery.
Don’t Miss: Is Psoriasis And Psoriatic Arthritis The Same Thing
Recognizing The Signs Of A Blood Clot
Follow your orthopaedic surgeon’s instructions carefully to reduce the risk of blood clots developing during the first several weeks of your recovery. They may recommend that you continue taking the blood thinning medication you started in the hospital. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop any of the following warning signs.
Warning signs of blood clots. The warning signs of possible blood clots in your leg include:
- Increasing pain in your calf
- Tenderness or redness above or below your knee
- New or increasing swelling in your calf, ankle, and foot
Warning signs of pulmonary embolism. The warning signs that a blood clot has traveled to your lung include:
- Sudden shortness of breath
- Sudden onset of chest pain
- Localized chest pain with coughing