If you have osteoarthritis in your knee and your pain is getting so bad that it's difficult to bear weight and stay mobile, your doctor may send you to a knee surgery specialist to talk about a joint replacement. Here's why a joint replacement is sometimes necessary for advanced knee osteoarthritis and the surgical options.

Why Knee Surgery May Be Necessary

A healthy knee joint is cushioned by cartilage and lubricated with fluid so the bones glide over each other when you bend your knee. Osteoarthritis causes a gradual wearing away of the cartilage in your knee, and that makes movement of the joint painful. You've probably noticed your pain has gotten worse over time as more and more of the cartilage disappears. There are treatments that help with pain in the early stages of arthritis, but once enough damage has been done to your knee, surgery becomes a possible option. The surgery replaces the knee joint so your knee can move again without pain.

The Ways Knee Replacement Surgery Can Be Done

Your knee surgeon will determine if you need a total knee replacement or partial replacement. A total knee replacement is common, and this procedure can be done as an open, traditional surgery or an arthroscopic procedure. Your surgeon evaluates your case to determine if you're a good match for the arthroscopic surgery. Not everyone is, but if you are, you might experience a quicker recovery. The arthroscopic total knee replacement procedure uses smaller incisions to reach your joint, and it causes less trauma to the muscles and tissues around the joint. A traditional, open surgery requires larger incisions and more tissues are damaged during the process, but the traditional surgery is sometimes necessary depending on the condition of your knee.

No matter which surgery you have, you can expect to stay in the hospital for the initial stage of recovery. Once you're released, you'll need to undergo physical therapy sessions so you have full range of motion in your need and to strengthen the muscles that support your knee.

A lot of factors go into the decision to have a knee replacement and which type of surgery you'll have. Things like your age, the amount of pain, the degree of limited mobility, your general health, and your ability to engage in rehabilitation after the surgery all matter to your surgeon. If you're a good match for the surgery and you participate fully with your rehab, you may enjoy an active life after your knee replacement that allows you to stay mobile without pain.