Who should consider partial knee replacement surgery?
It is usually reasonable to try a number of non-operative interventions before considering knee replacement surgery of any type. Prior to surgery, your orthopedic surgeon may offer you medications (either non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications or analgesics like acetaminophen, which is sold under the name Tylenol), knee injections, or exercises. Your surgeon may talk to you about activity modification, weight loss, or use of a cane. The decision to undergo the mini knee is a “quality of life” choice. Patients typically have the procedure when they find themselves avoiding activities that they used to enjoy because of knee pain. When basic activities of daily life–like walking, shopping, or reasonable recreational pastimes–are inhibited or prevented by the knee pain, it may be reasonable to consider the surgery.What happens without surgery? Arthritis is often progressive, and symptoms typically get worse over time. In some patients, the symptoms wax and wane, causing “good days a
