Can an ACL Tear Heal on Its Own?
ACL tears are common, painful, and notoriously slow to heal. Learn more about ACL injuries and why your activity level may influence your treatment options — rehab alone versus surgery and then rehab.
Dr. Sumit Dewanjee at FXRX Orthopaedics & Bracing in Tempe, Arizona, is an award-winning specialist who’s considered one of Arizona’s top orthopedic surgeons. Read what he says about knee replacement surgery and when he might recommend it as your best treatment option for debilitating knee pain.
During knee replacement surgery, Dr. Dewanjee replaces damaged or diseased surfaces of a knee joint with prosthetic devices.
Joint replacements are crafted from bio-friendly materials such as titanium or high-grade plastics. Although they can eventually wear out, modern prosthetic devices typically last 25 years or longer, research studies show.
Knee replacement relieves debilitating knee pain, restores your ability to live an active life, and reduces chronic pain's effect on your emotional and physical health.
Age was once a determining factor in whether knee replacement was appropriate, often recommended for individuals over 60. But these days, your degree of pain and disability guide the decision.
Dr. Dewanjee typically recommends knee replacement for advanced joint disease or deformity related to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and post-traumatic arthritis.
He may recommend surgery if conservative treatments such as activity modification, physical therapy, bracing, or steroid joint injections do not adequately relieve your symptoms.
You may also be a good surgical candidate if knee damage prevents you from maintaining an active lifestyle. Even simple tasks like shopping, driving, or taking an evening walk may become impossible with advanced joint disease.
In that case, knee replacement is often a better alternative than waiting until you’ve reached a certain age.
Individual results can vary. Dr. Dewanjee discusses aftercare and what to expect during recovery before scheduling the procedure.
But generally, most of our patients respond very well to knee replacement and enjoy significant improvement in their overall quality of life once they’ve completed post-surgical rehab. You can typically return to activities such as shopping, light housekeeping, and driving within 3-6 weeks.
We encourage walking, cycling, swimming, and other low-impact activities. Joint-friendly strengthening and stretching exercises help you build and maintain muscle strength and flexibility.
But you’ll likely have to refrain from participating in high-impact workouts or contact sports.
Maintaining healthy habits after surgery helps preserve the benefits you gain from joint replacement. For instance, excess weight and a sedentary lifestyle can negatively affect your joint health and implant longevity.
For more information about knee replacement surgery or any services that we offer at FXRX, schedule an evaluation with Dr. Dewanjee today. Call our office or request an appointment online.
