Patients avoid having knee replacement surgery due to a variety of fears, including those related to the procedure itself, potential complications, post-operational pain, losing a bodily part and failing surgery.
Patients who wish to get rid of their discomfort but are not ready for surgery are in a fairly prevalent situation. But do you know these can lead to certain complications? Here, in this blog, we will guide you on certain dangers of delaying knee replacement surgery.
Some people opt to postpone surgery in favor of less invasive procedures such as oral medicines, cortisone injections, physical therapy and the use of walking supports. While postponing surgery for a few weeks or months probably won’t have a big impact, doing so for years could result in difficulties.
Consider a total knee replacement with the best orthopedic surgeon in South Delhi if you want to avoid future issues and challenges.
Why to Undergo Knee Replacement Surgery
If you experience severe persistent pain and have one of the following problems, your orthopedic surgeon may suggest undergoing a knee replacement surgery.
- Osteoarthritis, commonly referred to as wear-and-tear arthritis, develops when cartilage degrades over time, impairing movement and creating discomfort.
- When the immune system destroys tissue, it results in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which causes pain, inflammation, and stiffness in the joints.
- Osteoarthritis of the post-traumatic variety results from an injury. In most cases, the symptoms are short-lived; however, if they persist for longer than six months, they are deemed chronic.
Reasons Why People Delay Knee Replacement Surgery?
There are various causes for some patients to postpone surgery. It can include the cost, the location, fear of surgery, hospitalization charge, etc. Some common reasons include:
- The operation makes people anxious.
- People do not wish to endure a protracted healing procedure.
- People worry that things will get worse.
- People fear that when the injury heals, their mobility may decline.
- People have a fear of complications after the surgery.
- The cost of the surgery cannot be affordable for everyone.
Consider going for knee replacement surgery in Delhi if the reason is related to cost. The knee replacement surgery cost in Delhi is minimal and can be affordable to middle-class people. In fact, Delhi has the best doctors who identify the real cause of the problem and provide the best solution to keep your knee pain away.
Risks of Delaying Knee Replacement Surgery
There may be a number of reasons to put off surgery, including pain, fear and medical advice. Consequently, it’s important to decide for yourself. Most medical professionals first consider non-replacement options for the knee.
The non-surgical option can include medicines, physiotherapy, injections, painkillers, exercises, etc. If non-surgical treatments are unsuccessful, surgery is advised. Here are some risks of delaying knee replacement surgery:
Damaged Bones and Joints
The longer you wait, the more damage is done to the knee’s surrounding tissues. As a result, the bones of the joint don’t move smoothly; instead, they grind against one another. This results in increased discomfort and more damage that eventually reaches the bone.
Weakening of Muscle and Tissue
The muscle could become weaker as a result of restricted movement, ongoing inflammation, and increased pressure. You’ll move less the more agony you’re in. The muscles will deteriorate and soon you will be unable to perform your work.
Constant Pain Management
If you don’t manage your knee, you’ll need more analgesics and alleviation. Extreme pain reduces quality of life by limiting mobility and stamina. This in particular has an impact on your general health.
Bad Posture
Over time, the pain and suffering you experience may also have an impact on how you sit. Pain in other body areas is a result of poor posture. For instance, you can start walking with a limp that worsens your back or ankle pain.
Injury Danger
You run the danger of injuring the opposite knee as well if you move incorrectly and have restricted mobility. This is a result of the continuous pressure from using your ‘good’ knee or side. Additionally, movement exposes you to stability loss, which increases your chance of collapsing.
Surgical Complications
The more time you wait, the more damage is done. If you delay your knee replacement surgery, it could lead to more complications and after some time it will be difficult for the doctor to perform surgery on your knees. Consequently, the procedure becomes more difficult and time-consuming.
Increased Recovery Time
Your body needs more time to repair and adapt as you age, which will lengthen the time it takes for you to recover after a knee replacement. Your immune system is not that strong in old age and hence it will induce a slow recovery after the surgery.
Tips to Avoid Knee Replacement Surgery
If you take proper care of your knees, it can help in delaying and stopping the knee surgery. Minor pain can be corrected by conservative methods such as medications, physiotherapy, injections and other methods. Some tips to avoid knee replacement surgery are:
- Exercise regularly to increase your joint mobility.
- Increase consumption of anti-inflammatory foods or take fish oil supplements.
- Stretching both heats up the muscles for the exercise and aids in muscle relaxation. Endorphins are released, and it is also known to lessen damage.
- When working out, don’t push yourself too hard. Switch between low-intensity and high-intensity exercises, and add weights progressively at all times.
- Do not sit for extended periods of time with your knees bent severely.
Conclusion
The advantages of knee replacement surgery are clear since they restore mobility and relieve pain. Without taking other options into account, choosing knee surgery too soon could result in revisions and minimal results.
But before the disease gets more severe, it’s important to take note of the symptoms and see a doctor.
While the decision to have knee, surgery is up to the patient, the doctors will base their decisions on your age, diagnosis, joint function and level of pain.
Therefore, knee replacement surgery may prove to be very beneficial based on how uncomfortable it is and how much your knee impacts your daily life.