Knee Replacement Contraindications: Who Should Avoid this Surgery?

Knee replacement is a common final treatment option for individuals experiencing knee pain due to osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, among other conditions. The surgical procedure involves removing all or a portion of the affected knee joint and replacing it with an artificial component (prosthetic). 

This offers numerous advantages to those experiencing severe knee discomfort. In addition to the significant pain relief, it provides improved mobility and quality of life, which are important benefits for patients.

Who Is Not a Good Candidate for Knee Replacement?

While knee replacement represents an effective treatment for knee pain, not all individuals are appropriate candidates for knee replacement surgery. There are several reasons why knee replacement surgery is not the optimal choice for you, some of which are:

• The knee pain is relatively mild.

If you're experiencing knee pain that's moderate to severe and affecting your daily life, a knee replacement could be the answer. Although Knee replacement surgeries are a great way to manage knee pain caused by arthritis and other bone-degenerating conditions, they shouldn't be your first treatment option.

As with any surgical procedure, knee replacement surgery does come with a few risks and complications. It's really important to think about the pros and cons before you make the decision to have surgery. If you're experiencing only mild and tolerable knee pain, it might be best to hold off on a knee replacement, as the risks might outweigh the benefits.

• Widespread or Knee infection

If you have an ongoing infection in your knee or a widespread infection, it's probably not a good idea to have a knee replacement as a treatment for your knee pain. It's so important to keep an eye on things after surgery because if there's an infection, there's a higher chance of developing complications. We can all agree that apart from increasing the risks, it usually makes it less likely that everything will go well with the procedure.

• Some medical conditions

It would be inadvisable to undergo a knee replacement if you are suffering from severe nerve disease or peripheral blood vessel disease. It is worth noting that other diseases, such as knee sepsis, active infections, recurvatum deformity secondary to muscular weakness, and extensor mechanism dysfunction, can significantly increase the risk of developing a complication from the surgical procedure.

Another thing to watch out for is your weight. Having a Body Mass Index over 30 can make you a poor candidate for knee replacement. Finally, if you have delicate or thin skin around your knees, it might affect the outcome.

• The knee symptoms you describe are unrelated to the joint disease.

It's not always the case that the pain and other symptoms you feel around the knee are connected to bony or cartilaginous degeneration of the knee joint. Your doctor will confirm this for you with a thorough assessment.

• Smoking

It's probably best to avoid knee replacement surgery if you're a smoker. It's so important to remember that smoking can really slow down the healing process after any kind of surgery, including knee replacements. Turkey Luxury Clinics’ doctors advise that you stop smoking a little while before surgery to give your body the best chance at a positive outcome.

What Should I Do If I Don’t Qualify for Knee Replacement?

There are a number of alternative treatment options available to you if you do not meet the criteria for knee replacement surgery. Here are some of them:

• Arthritis-relieving medications are an effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and gout.
• In addition to other treatments, pain-relieving medications can be an effective method for managing knee pain.
• Physical therapy is an effective approach to addressing knee pain. It aims to strengthen the muscles surrounding the knee to reduce the weight borne by this area, while simultaneously stabilizing the knee.
• Furthermore, exercises prescribed by your physical therapist can help to correct incorrect movement patterns and improve flexibility and balance.
• In addition to other treatments, your physical therapist may prescribe a knee brace to provide support and relieve discomfort.
• In addition, other treatment options are available, including corticosteroid injections, hyaluronic acid injections, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP).
• Finally, it is also important to consider self-care measures such as ice, heat, compression, and elevation.

How Can Turkey Luxury Clinics Help You?

For most people, knee replacement is a total game-changer! It provides much-needed pain relief, improved mobility, and a better quality of life. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) reports that knee replacement surgery is one of the most successful procedures in all of medicine. In fact, approximately 790,000 total knee replacements are performed annually in the United States.



Contact Turkey Luxury Clinics today to speak with our experienced orthopedic team. They will be happy to provide you with a consultation on your case and recommend the optimal solution.