Persistent pain in your knees, along with swelling and stiffness, can be a signal of knee arthritis. Many people with this condition find themselves avoiding walking, shuffling, or curtailing their daily activities to avoid pain. Now, there's hope! Instead of feeling as though you have no choice but to live with the pain of knee arthritis, you can choose surgery to help relieve your pain. 

Surgery for Knee Arthritis

There are several types of surgery available for knee arthritis. Depending on the type of symptoms you have and their severity, you can try:

• Arthroscopic surgery, in which a small tube with a tiny camera is placed in your knee and damaged cartilage is removed.
• Knee replacement surgery, in which the arthritic joint is replaced completely. You can also have partial knee replacement surgery, in which only part of the knee is replaced.
• Knee osteotomy, in which a piece of bone is either added or removed from the thigh or shin bone to change poor alignment of the knee. This type of surgery is often highly successful for people who have excess wear and tear on just one side of the knee joint. This surgery makes it possible for many patients to continue to participate in high-impact sports and other activities, unlike a full knee replacement, which can significantly restrict many physical activities moving forward. A knee osteotomy can help avoid total joint replacement for several years after the initial surgery. 

Are You a Candidate for a Knee Osteotomy? 

If you suffer from arthritis in your knee and have begun to feel like you're running out of options before a full knee replacement, a knee osteotomy can be an excellent solution. You might be a candidate for a knee osteotomy if:

You have already tried other solutions for managing knee arthritis pain and they have failed. Many doctors recommend trying oral medications, creams, and injections before moving toward surgery. You may also have attempted physical therapy or, if you are overweight, tried weight loss interventions to help decrease pressure on the joint. 

You have wear and tear primarily on one side of your knee joint. If your joint is unbalanced, a knee osteotomy can help. During the surgery, the doctor helps change the way your weight balances on the knee, shifting pressure to the undamaged side of the joint. 

You are under the age of around 60. This surgery is best used on younger candidates, especially those who are highly physically active. It has a long recovery period, with up to a year in recovery following the surgery, but it can substantially reduce your chances of needing a full knee replacement within the next several years, allowing for higher quality of life in the meantime. 

Do you have, or suspect that you have, knee arthritis? Contact us today to set up a consultation to learn more about how surgery can help decrease your pain, improve your quality of life, and give you a new lease on many of the activities you enjoy most.