The decision to have knee arthritis surgery is best made between you and your orthopedic surgeon, but when your knee pain begins to interfere with your everyday activities, it might be time for surgery.

Knee Replacement Surgery is a routine surgery performed on more than 600,000 people worldwide each year. More than 90% of people who have had total knee replacement experience an improvement in knee pain and function._¹  Your knee pain might make you a candidate for Total or Partial Knee Replacement Surgery. 

Here are 3 signs that you might be ready for knee surgery:

1. X-ray Evidence

Standing x-rays will show the amount of cartilage between the bones. We all start off with about 5 mm. When the remaining space is down to 2 mm or less radiographically, knee replacement may be an option.
MRIs can also show arthritis earlier than x-rays and, in some cases, if the diagnosis cannot be made with an x-ray, the MRI will show the amount of damaged cartilage surface.

2. Disabling Pain that is not responsive to conservative measures

Conservative measures should always be exhausted prior to choosing to have a knee replacement.  Conservative measures are less invasive means of attempting to relieve knee pain.  These include weight loss, injections, braces, anti-inflammatory medicines, etc.

Constant pain that does not respond to these conservative measures is a strong indicator to have knee replacement surgery.  The following experiences would qualify:

• Night pain
• pain not allowing activities
• pain inhibiting ability to stay active and exercise
• having to rely on pain meds to function due to pain

Disabling pain is not normal and should be treated with conservative measures.  If you are experiencing pain as described above, consult your orthopedic surgeon today.

3. Decreasing function that is not responsive to conservative measures

The abovementioned conservative measures should always be exhausted in an attempt to restore knee function before surgery is considered.  However, if the following symptoms occur without relief, it may be time for surgery.

• Losing knee range of motion
• progressive/worsening of bowing or knocking of the knee
• Inability to stay active and exercise to stay healthy
• Knee instability – giving out

Another significant indicator that knee surgery may be imminent is general lifestyle limitations.  If you have to skip the family trip, or you’re missing out on important life events because you can’t walk around with your current knee pain, that could be a condition worthy of surgery.  

There’s no reason for you to be missing out on the things that bring enjoyment to your life simply because your knee is not allowing normal activities.

That’s why Dr. Tchejeyen spends quality time with his patients to ensure they are receiving the proper knee care.  He pledges to provide the highest quality of orthopedic care possible while utilizing the latest technologies and cutting-edge advancements in the industry,  Dr. T has been lovingly nicknamed the “LA Knee Guy” for his outstanding surgical record in Southern California.

For more information on Dr. Tchejeyen or knee surgery in general, you can contact one of our trained staff members via our website or by calling (805) 495-3687.

TJN Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
250 Lombard St, 1st Floor
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

^{1Consensus Statement on total knee replacement. NIH Consens State Sci Statements. 2003 Dec 8-10;20(1):1-34}