4 Common Reasons for Knee Replacement Surgery

You may not think about it, but your knee joints really take a beating throughout your life. They bear a lot of your weight, take a lot of impact from everyday movements, and can get banged around quite a bit. When you consider this, it's little wonder that total knee replacement surgery in Maple Valley, WA, is far from uncommon. In fact, there are many reasons an individual might need a knee replacement. Here are 4 of the most common ones.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common reason for a knee replacement, and is frequently seen in senior citizens. With this condition, the protective cartilage on the ends of your leg bones break down, which cause a sort of grinding sensation in the knee joint. This leads to pain, swelling, mobility issues, and serious joint damage over time.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Similar to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis generally afflicts senior members of the community, and causes damage to the joints over time. It causes swelling and stiffness in the joints, and can occur in any joint in the body. This can lead to long-term joint problems that require surgery, including knee replacement.

Gout

Gout is a condition that can cause sudden and severe joint damage if not properly treated. It's often related to your diet, and high levels or uric acid in your blood stream. These acids can cause severe inflammation and redness in your joints, most commonly in the knee. If you have sudden severe joint pain, and red, hot, and swollen skin over the affected joint, contact a doctor immediately. If treated soon enough, you can avoid joint damage; but if left untreated, gout can frequently require surgery to correct joint damage.

Injury

Joint replacement surgeries are often seen as a procedure for the elderly, since so many conditions impacting the joints (like those mentioned above) are found in senior citizens. However, individuals of all ages can find themselves having a total knee replacement due to a serious joint injury. This most commonly occurs in athletes who severely injure the knee during a game or practice. If the joint is damaged enough and cannot be repaired, it may need to be replaced entirely.

Whether you need it for an injury or osteoarthritis, if you need total knee replacement surgery in Maple Valley, WA, be sure to find an orthopedic specialist who can provide you with the expert care you need.