It’s important to recognize when a partial knee replacement could benefit your health.
Choosing to undergo a partial knee replacement is a big decision and one that requires a lot of consideration. Dr. Jeffrey Chase of Virgin Islands Orthopaedics and Medical Specialists in St. Thomas, and St. Croix, helps you determine whether a partial knee replacement may be a good option for you, or if there are other ways to improve your mobility.
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis that causes wear and tear on the cartilage of the joints. Osteoarthritis can develop in just about any joint but is most common in the knees. The cartilage in the joint provides shock absorption, so when it starts to wear down this causes inflammation in the joint, as well as pain, stiffness, and limited mobility.
How is osteoarthritis of the knee treated?
Osteoarthritis is a progressive condition, which means that it will get worse over time, especially if left untreated. This is why it’s important to turn to your St. Thomas, and St. Croix, doctors to create a treatment plan that slows joint damage. Your treatment plan may include lifestyle modifications such as getting regular exercise and losing weight, along with:
- Steroid injections to reduce inflammation and swelling
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Prescription-strength pain relievers
- Alternative therapies such as stress management, hot and cold therapy, and acupuncture
When should I consider partial knee replacement?
There are certain signs that it might be time to consider partial knee replacement including:
- You aren't getting pain relief through your current medications, therapies, and treatment plan
- You have limited mobility and functionality in your knee due to osteoarthritis
- There is extensive damage to the knee joints
- You have trouble getting through day-to-day activities
- You have a diminished quality of life due to your knee problems
What is the benefit of partial knee replacement?
A partial knee replacement can certainly seem less scary than undergoing a total knee replacement. One of the benefits of this procedure is that we can preserve more of the knee’s function and range of motion by preserving more of the knee’s healthy bone and tissue.
In the past, partial knee replacement was often considered a procedure performed only on older individuals who weren’t very active, we are now seeing more and more young adults undergoing partial knee replacement to get back to the activities they love.
If you are interested in speaking with Dr. Chase in St. Thomas, or St. Croix, about whether partial knee replacement is right for you, call Virgin Islands Orthopaedics and Medical Specialists at (340) 714-2845 or (340) 692-5000 to schedule a consultation.