Restoration Surgeries

If all other avenues of pain relief have been explored and your knee pain is becoming unbearable or greatly affecting your quality of life, you may want to consult with your GP regarding possible surgical options. Two of the most common surgical options are arthroscopic surgery and knee replacement surgery. Knee surgery can greatly reduce your pain, though proper recovery and physical therapy are essential to a successful operation.

Arthroscopic Surgery 1

Arthroscopic surgery involves inserting small instruments into the knee joint through three or more small incisions. Using a fiber-optic camera, the surgeon will assess the condition of the knee, and may clean up the damaged cartilage and sometimes reshape the cartilage or the bone. Arthroscopic surgery can relieve knee pain, and it may be that no hospital stay is required. Arthroscopy may not be an option for everyone or every knee condition.

Consultation with your GP and/or healthcare professional is required for any treatment option.

Open Knee Surgery 2

Open knee surgery is used primarily for knee replacement surgery, patellar realignment and the treatment of fractures.

Knee Replacement Surgery

Should you and your GP determine you are suitable, you may want to consider total or partial knee replacement surgery. These procedures replace the parts of the knee that have been permanently injured or worn away by arthritis. Knee replacement surgery can greatly reduce pain and restore range of motion. Whether or not the surgery is right for you depends on the condition of your knee, how your pain is affecting your quality of life, your overall physical health and your ability to commit to the recovery process. Age and Weight are also a typical consideration.

[1] Brugioni, Daniel J., M.D., Total Knee Replacement & Rehabilitation, Hunter House Publishers, 2004, p. 21 [2] Scott, W. Norman, Dr. Scott’s Knee Book, Simon & Shuster, 1996, p. 52