My knee is becoming progressively more deformed. When is the appropriate time to consider knee replacement surgery?
The opposite form of deformity is a knock-knee leg or valgus deformity. Due to the differences in the ligaments on the inside and outside part of the knee, a valgus deformity can be more difficult to correct at the time of surgery. In patients who have a significant valgus or knock-knee deformity to their leg in general it is somewhat better to have the surgery done a bit sooner rather than wait until a marked deformity is present; although large or marked deformities can be corrected with a valgus or knock-knee deformity. These will resolve generally and a bit more soreness and swelling and pain postoperatively and may result in an increased operative time. In addition, there is an increased risk for stretching of the peroneal nerve that runs along the outer aspect of the knee. If this is significantly stretched it can result in numbness and weakness in the foot. Therefore, with a knock-knee or valgus deformity, surgery is normally recommended a little earlier in the arthritic course.
