A stiff and painful knee can make it difficult for a person to perform daily
chores and activities. It can even be worse if over-the-counter medicines are
no longer working. In such a case, the best long-term solution would be joint
replacement surgery.
A joint replacement surgery does two
things: it removes the pain and improves the function of the joint. The pain in
the joint is normally caused by the friction created by the surface of the
joint and the adjacent bone structure. Originally, the joint is covered with
cartilage, a tissue more elastic than bone that serves as shock absorber. When
the cartilage gets damaged, that’s the time actual bone surfaces start making
contact, causing severe pain.
During joint replacement surgery, the damaged surface is removed and
replaced with plastic or metal implants, which become the new shock absorber.
Like any other type of surgery, there are certain risks involved in joint
replacements. Doctors usually do not recommend such a procedure to patients
with heart conditions or poorly managed diabetes.
Joint replacements are performed by certified orthopedic surgeons. They
ensure that a person is fit for the procedure before recommending it. They also
explain the unpredictable consequences while guaranteeing that the procedure
can alleviate the constant pain. In most cases, those who have undergone full
joint replacement become able to resume their daily activities once again.
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