Some Reasons for Knee Replacement Surgery

A joint replacement surgeon, Thomas Schmalzried, MD, serves as a physician specialist at Harbor-UCLA Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Thomas Schmalzried, MD, has provided care to orthopedic patients and has written over 170 peer-reviewed publications. The majority of his research has focused on hip and knee arthroplasty.

Knee arthroplasty, also known as knee replacement surgery, is a procedure that replaces the worn and damaged surfaces of a knee joint with similar-sized, metal and plastic components. Knee replacement is one of the most common, most successful, and safest surgical procedures.

The most frequent reason for having a knee replacement is osteoarthritis. Degradation of joint cartilage, osteoarthritis, is characterized by gradually increasing pain and stiffness (loss of motion) which may be exacerbated by climbing stairs or walking distances. A fracture around the knee, or a sports or work injury, can cause damage to the joint cartilage and may also result in the need for knee replacement surgery.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor Before Undergoing Knee Replacement

A practicing orthopedic surgeon for nearly three decades, Thomas Schmalzried, MD has performed thousands of hip and knee replacements. Thomas Schmalzried, MD is an expert in hip and knee arthroplasty with writing credits on over 180 peer-reviewed articles.

Total knee replacement shouldn’t be decided on casually and patients are advised to become educated about the procedure and its outcomes. Patients should ask about their options, including those that are non-evasive. Every physician has biases about surgical techniques and the types of joint replacement devices. It’s not a bad idea to get several opinions before deciding to proceed with a particular surgeon.

An alternative to total knee replacement for some patients is a partial knee replacement, also called a unicompartmental knee replacement. This is a less invasive procedure, retains the anterior cruciate ligament, and is associated with a higher level of post-operative function compared to a total knee replacement. It’s not appropriate for all patients but it’s reasonable to ask if you are a candidate.

When a procedure is recommended, patients should ask about potential complications, expected or typical outcomes, and the downsides of delaying surgery. It’s likely that the arthritis will worsen, so the timing of intervention is another consideration.