Knee Preservation
What happens if a knee replacement is not right for you?
Not everyone is satisfied with their knee replacement and they do wear out over time. Revision knee replacements do not function as well as first time knee replacements either. We therefore try to avoid doing knee replacements in young patients and those who have very physical jobs.
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Here are some of the knee preservation techniques we use below. For more information, please get in touch so we can best help you.
Knee Preservation Techniques
Injectables
There are a variety of injectable substances that can offer temporary relief for joint pain.
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These include: steroids, platelet rich plasma (PRP) and hyaluronic acid.
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There is no conclusive evidence that any of these injectables are superior to the other ones. No injectable substances can reverse the damage to the joint cartilage but they can help manage the symptoms.
Osteotomy
Sometimes the alignment of the lower limb can contribute or cause early arthritis in the knee.
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Changing the mechanics of the knee, to reduce the forces transmitted through the damaged part of the knee, can relieve pain and stop or slow the progress of arthritis.
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This can be done by performing an osteotomy. This involves making a cut in the bone and fixing it in a position where the leg is straighter.
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This procedure is considered for people who are too young for joint replacement surgery or have jobs that would cause early failure of a joint replacement.
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Patients who have varus (bow legs) or valgus (knock knees) are particularly suited for this kind of surgery.
Obesity-related knee pain
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Being overweight or obese causes knee pain​
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Weight loss alone will not reverse cartilage damage but it will slow its progress significantly. Reducing your weight by 5% can reduce knee pain by 50%​
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Having knee pain reduces the ability to do exercise so adequate pain relief is an important part of any non-operative treatment plan​
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The combination of diet and exercise is one of the most effective treatments for obesity related knee pain​
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Even if you need a knee replacement, weight loss before surgery can have positive impacts by reducing your chances of a complication and reducing your recovery time
