Is it Time for a Knee Replacement? 

 

Chronic knee pain can impact your day-to-day life, and sometimes joint replacement surgery is the answer to easing pain and increasing mobility. But many people struggle with making the decision and wonder if surgery is right for them. 

 

“Every patient and case is different, but there are some signs I see in patients that tell me it’s time to consider joint replacement surgery,” WVU Medicine Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr. Sumon Nandi said. “Joint replacement is one of the most effective surgeries a doctor can perform for a patient to improve his or her quality of life.  However, having the right surgery at the right time is important to achieving the desired outcome.  When patients have end-stage arthritis, all measures short of surgery have not worked, and patients can’t live the way they want to live, they are candidates for knee replacement surgery.” 

 

Here are some questions Dr. Nandi says he might ask a patient considering knee replacement surgery: 

 

“If a patient tells me they’re having significant challenges walking short distances, climbing stairs, or squatting to pick something up off the ground, that’s a signal for me,” Dr. Nandi said. “We want to make sure you’re able to participate in life’s daily activities comfortably.” 

 

If knee pain and decreased range of motion are consistently interfering with daily life, patients experience a loss of function. In these cases, surgery can make a meaningful difference.  

 

 

If a patient experiences constant knee pain that goes beyond episodic discomfort, surgical intervention may be the best next step.  

 

“It’s a red flag if a patient is in pain all the time, has pain that wakes him or her up at night, and pain that doesn't improve with rest or other treatments,” Dr. Nandi said. “This tells me that the damage to the joint may be advanced.” 

 

 

Orthopaedic care at WVU Medicine includes non-surgical options, rehabilitation, and advanced surgeries. 

 

“I want patients to be pain-free and to be able to live life to the fullest,” Dr. Nandi said. “If treatments like physical therapy, medication, braces, or injections aren’t providing relief and your quality of life is suffering, then we can explore knee replacement surgery.” 

 

WVU Medicine offers multiple surgical techniques and innovative, cutting-edge surgical approaches, including rapid recovery knee replacement. While not all patients are candidates for joint replacement, our surgeons are here to help determine what is right for you. 

 

“Knee replacement surgery is a big step, but for many patients it is the way to get their life back,” Dr. Nandi said. “We pride ourselves on staying at the forefront of joint replacement techniques so your experience is safe, smooth, and successful.  We look forward to seeing you resume the activities that enrich your lives.” 

 

Learn more: wvumedicine.org/activeortho