Dangers of Delaying Knee Replacement Surgery

Executive Summary

• Knee replacement surgery is a last resort, but often effective, option for people who have tried other remedies for knee pain and experienced no relief. 
• Delaying knee replacement surgery can come with several consequences, including joint deterioration, worsening mobility, and increased pain.
• One of the key dangers of delaying knee replacement is the mental and emotional challenges associated with being limited in your daily activities.
• If you need knee replacement surgery, it’s important to seek an experienced surgeon who can provide guidance and support throughout the process.

Knee replacement surgery is a last resort option for people experiencing joint pain. However, if other therapies or approaches do not work to provide solutions, then knee replacement surgery may be the best option for long-term relief.

A damaged knee joint can be severely limiting, making it difficult to move around your home, navigate your daily responsibilities, and engage in your favorite hobbies. The pain alone can be debilitating and stop you from even attempting the activities you would normally engage in. All together, prolonged joint pain can greatly impact your quality of life.

When it comes to your health and wellness, it’s crucial not to delay valuable treatment. Pursuing treatment as soon as possible is essential for not exacerbating the issue and allowing you to return to your daily routine. Of course, knee replacement surgery may sound intimidating to some, but seeking an experienced joint replacement surgeon will allow you to find relief and ease you into the process.

Understanding Knee Replacement Surgery

Knee replacement surgery, also known as knee arthroplasty, is a process that involves removing damaged parts of the knee joint and replacing them with an artificial joint made of metal, plastic, or another material.

The goal of a knee replacement is to address the root cause of pain and restore mobility and range of motion to the joint. Patients can receive either a total or a partial knee replacement, depending on the level of damage to the tissue.

People who are candidates for knee replacement surgery usually experience the following:

• Pain in the joint that does not subside after a few weeks
• Reduced range of motion
• Non-surgical interventions have not provided relief
• Consistent swelling or stiffness around the knee
• You have severe arthritis
• You have an injury that hasn’t healed properly

Keep in mind that surgery is the best option in some cases, but it is a last resort option. Before pursuing knee replacement surgery, it’s essential to discuss all your options with a skilled surgeon to determine if the procedure is really the best choice for you. An experienced surgeon will be able to provide specific guidance regarding your needs and help you develop an appropriate treatment plan.

When you seek out support from a surgeon, they will assess the condition of your knee to determine if you’re a good candidate for surgery. They’ll start by assessing the joint’s range of motion, stability, and strength—this process will also include an x-ray to understand the extent of the damage.

Potential Consequences if You Delay Knee Replacement Surgery

If your medical provider recommends surgery as a better choice than non-surgical alternatives, it’s best to start the journey as soon as possible to minimize further damage and avoid unnecessary prolonged pain and discomfort. Delaying your procedure can come with several key consequences that you should consider before putting it off.

Progressive Deterioration of Joint Health

Unfortunately, joint issues typically cannot heal on their own, especially when joint pain is the result of wear and tear over time. The body cannot regenerate or grow new cartilage, so if you delay treatment, the condition of your joint is likely to get worse. 

The more that you work through your pain and discomfort, the more likely you are to exacerbate the damage by continuing to wear down the cartilage, which will only decrease your capabilities and restrict your activity even further.

As one of the many long-term benefits of knee replacement surgery, it will restore functionality to your joint so that you can avoid increased damage and more easily navigate your daily activities.

Increased Pain & Discomfort

Pain occurs as the cartilage and tissue in your joint break down and the bones rub against each other. If you do not address the damage to your joint, the breakdown of cartilage will only get worse as time progresses, leading to increased pain and discomfort.

In some cases, this pain and discomfort can become so difficult to manage that it can lead to an increased reliance on pain medications. Fortunately, knee replacement surgery will address the underlying cause of pain so that you can live comfortably with reduced pain and navigate your daily routine more easily.

Loss of Mobility & Function

Delaying treatment for your joint replacement surgery can lead to a loss of mobility and function of your knee as the joint deteriorates further. The more the tissue wears down, it increases friction and reduces the cushion between your bones. As this happens, it will be more difficult for your joint to bend, move, and support your weight.

A loss of mobility and function can snowball into more extensive consequences. Reduced function can make your daily activities difficult, including exercise and sports, and can even prevent you from doing them at all.

When you’re less likely to engage in physical activities, you also use your muscles less, which can lead to atrophy and weakening of the muscles around your joint. This atrophy leads to even lower functionality of the joint, creating a harmful cycle. 

Joint replacement surgery will help restore that mobility so you can rebuild your strength and stay active after surgery.

Mental & Emotional Health Challenges

The pain and stress of an injured joint can take its toll, especially if it’s limiting your ability to complete daily activities. Dealing with consistent joint pain can start to take the enjoyment out of your favorite hobbies and even prevent you from moving around the home.

Over time, joint pain can start to feel defeating as it can make your routine more difficult and likely keep you from pursuing the things you enjoy. It’s important to address your knee pain and pursue a solution as soon as possible so that you can avoid feeling limited and continue finding joy in the activities you love.

Find Long-Term Relief at The Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale

There are several potential dangers of delaying knee replacement surgery, like increased deterioration of the joint, increased pain, and even a harsh impact on your emotional health. You shouldn’t deal with pain any longer than you have to—avoid putting off your knee replacement surgery by seeking a skilled and experienced surgeon.

At The Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale, we perform knee replacement surgery using the latest methods from our reliable team of surgeons and staff. Our caring and compassionate team will help you develop a treatment plan that works for you so that you can get back to living your life comfortably. We also offer a variety of alternative therapies to help you manage your pain.

Schedule a consultation with us today to get started on your path to healthier joints.