Total Knee Replacement

If you have been experiencing extreme discomfort in your knee for a substantial amount of time and the pain cannot be controlled by over-the-counter medications, then it may be time to schedule an appointment with a physician.

Through the course of our lives, our knees begin to degrade. The cartilage becomes worn and the pain that you are experiencing could be chronic, meaning long-lasting. If the discomfort is severe enough to wake you up at night or limit your everyday movement, you may need a knee replacement. The pain could be caused by an injury, but typically this condition results from normal, everyday wear and tear, which makes knee replacement surgery most common for people over 40 years of age.  

If all other avenues to treatment have been exhausted and the pain is not lessened with over-the-counter or prescribed medications, then surgery may be your only option. Total replacement is performed by opening the knee and removing the damaged part of the cartilage. The cartilage is then replaced with a metal or plastic implant. This surgery is 98 percent effective as well as the most common surgery performed on the joints.

People heal at different rates, so recovery time after a total knee replacement varies. One can expect to need rest and rehabilitation for approximately three to six months after surgery. Typically, short-term recovery takes six to 12 weeks, and you should be able to walk, unaided, with your pain controlled by over-the-counter medications. For long-term recovery, one can expect to regain total knee function in six to 12 months. Of course, this is approximate and with the addition of physical therapy and plenty of rest, the recovery rate is accelerated.  

The orthopedic surgeons at The Longstreet Clinic specialize in joint replacements, including the knee.  All are experienced in treating the knee joint and will be able to properly determine the best course of action. For more information, or to schedule an appointment with any of our doctors, please contact us at 770-532-7092 (Gainesville) or 770-533-4755 (Buford).