Knee Replacement at Abrazo Health
If severe knee pain, caused by either arthritis or injury, keeps you from doing the things you love, it may be time to consider a knee replacement. In addition to chronic pain and stiffness, reasons for considering knee surgery can include trouble walking and climbing stairs — and even pain when you’re sitting or lying down.
At your first appointment with one of our experienced orthopedic knee doctors, he or she will review your overall medical history, physical symptoms and images obtained from X-rays and/or MRIs. This will allow your knee specialist to create a customized treatment plan for you.
Request a Referral
By submitting this form you agree to receive periodic health related information and updates. We welcome your comments, questions and suggestions. We cannot give you medical advice via e-mail. To discuss any medical symptoms or conditions contact your physician or other healthcare professional. In the case of a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
Why Consider Knee Replacement Surgery?
Before any sort of knee replacement surgery is considered, our orthopedic knee specialists will recommend nonsurgical treatments, such as medications, cortisone injections, physical therapy and walking supports. If those don’t help, knee surgery may be your best option. Knee surgery is designed to relieve pain from arthritis in your knee, help with degenerative joint disease or loss of cartilage or correct a leg deformity.
Common reasons for knee replacement surgery include damage to the knee (such as fractures, torn cartilage and/or torn ligaments) and degenerative joint disease. However, osteoarthritis in the knee is the main reason people receive a knee joint replacement. This condition is very common and occurs when the cartilage that cushions the bones of the knee softens and wears away. This causes the bones to rub against each other causing knee joint pain and stiffness.
Other forms of knee arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis or post-traumatic arthritis, that can occur from a knee injury may also prompt the need for knee replacement surgery.