Derek L. Hill, D.O.

Fellowship-Trained Orthopedic Surgeon and Specialist

Knee Replacement Surgery Indications

| 6 Comments

Smiling asiatic nurse woman looking at youKnee replacement surgery, which is also known as arthroplasty, is a procedure in which damaged or diseased parts of the knee joint are removed and replaced with prosthetic implants made of metal and steel.

Patients who are good candidates for this operation usually have severe osteoarthritis and experience knee pain that does not respond to medications. This pain often wakes them up at night and does not reduce sufficiently with rest during the day. Patients with less severe osteoarthritis who cannot tolerate the side effects of their medications are others who can be considered for knee replacement surgery.

Persons with functional impairment in which the activities of daily living are affected are other good candidates for this operation. These limitations can include impaired walking and especially the climbing of stairs that necessitates the use of a walking aid.

Patients with knee swelling that does not respond to treatment and that limits bending or straightening the knee are others who can benefit from this operation. Those with very stiff knees that make it difficult for them to get in and out of a car or bath tub can also benefit from knee arthroplasty.

Patients who develop secondary osteoarthritis after knee infections, poorly treated fractures and tears of the menisci and cruciate ligaments are other good candidates for knee replacement surgery.

Severe rheumatoid arthritis and gouty arthritis are other types of arthritis that affect the knee to such an extent that the person’s occupation and social life are interfered with and thus necessitate knee arthroplasty.

Patients who have damaged knee bones due to bone cancer, unusual bone growth from bone dysplasias or death of some parts of the bone due to blood supply problems are others who can benefit from this operation.

Persons with deformities with significant bowing in or out of the knee are others who may require knee replacement surgery.

Written by: Marian Kim, Rust Built, Marketing Services

Knee Tips Every Runner Should Know

| Leave a Comment

MeMariner4-cEver been told that running would damage your knees as you age? Luckily, there is much evidence from studies which suggests running is not likely to cause knee problems. Many knee problems in runners are the result of things going on in other places of the body. Here are five things all runners should know about their knees.

Arthritis is not more common in runners

First, studies have shown that runners have less instances of having knee osteoarthritis. Knee osteoarthritis is when the cartilage in the knee joint gradually wears away. As the cartilage wears away, it becomes rough and the protective space between the bones decreases.

In a study conducted for a period of 18 years, the study followed both runners and non-runners to find out what percentage of runners developed arthritis versus non-runners. The findings from this study showed that 20% of the runners developed arthritis while 32% of the non-runners did as well. In a second study conducted, the study looked at both runners and walkers. The study found that regular runners had approximately half the rate of arthritis as regular walkers.

Regardless of age, the fact above is true

Most people think that loss of cartilage, especially in the knees, is a natural part of the aging process. However, there’s no definitive evidence that suggests that running accelerates that loss. In a study conducted, the study looked at people at risk of developing arthritis. Once beginning a moderate running program, their cartilage health improved versus those who didn’t start running.

Supplements do not re-grow knee cartilage

There are no dietary supplements that can increase knee cartilage. A popular supplement known as glucosamine may help with knee osteoarthritis. The supplement helps to protect the articular cartilage, which helps to lubricate the knee joint. Another study looked at people who had knee arthritis and Vitamin D supplementation versus those that did not take the supplement. It was found that Vitamin D had no impact on those that had knee arthritis.

Runner’s knee is caused by other problems in the body

The most common knee injury among runners is chondromalacia patella or patellafemoral pain syndrome, simply known as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee happens when inflammation of the cartilage occurs under the kneecap. The most common cause of runner’s knee are weak hips, quadriceps, and tight hamstrings.

There are simple steps to keeping your knees in good shape

The best thing you can do for your knees is to make your knees stronger and to live a healthy lifestyle! According to The American College of Sports Medicine, each additional pound of body mass puts four extra pounds of stress on the knee. Runners are in good shape which, in the long run, may explain why they have less cases of knee arthritis.

References:
*“5 Things Runners Should Know About Knees.” RunnersWorld.com. http://www.runnersworld.com/injury-prevention-recovery/5-things-runners-should-know-about-knees?cid+socHE_20140918_31856776.
*“Long Distance Running and Knee Osteoarthritis A Prospective Study.” National Institute of Health. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2556152/.

Written by: Sharan Kaur, Rust Built, Marketing Services