Orthopedics

Alternatives to Knee Replacement

Alternatives to Knee Replacement

Scalpel is Last Resort

Noticing that my legs slightly bow back­wards while standing, a mature individual warned me as a teen to bend them slightly—not letting them lock back to avoid knee problems later. His passionate plea stemmed from personal experience. I greatly appreciate that advice. We may not realize how useful knees are until they become painful to use.

When working properly, we feel no pain. A knee is more than a simple hinge. Knees can bend and twist with much support from the quadri­ceps (front thigh muscles). Cartilage, tendons, muscles, and synovial fluid balance and support an order of magni­tude more than our body weight.

Climbing stairs increases patello­femoral force to 3.5 times body weight; jumping multiplies such force 10 times body weight. So depending upon the level of exertion, a 200-pound person exerts between 700 and 2000 pounds of force on his knees.

A 200-pound person exerts between 700 and 2000 pounds of force on his knees.

It might be tempting to beg an orthopedics doctor to remove the aching by any means possible when walking or standing is painful. Don’t jump to conclusions—thinking the solution must be an arti­ficial knee replacement. Strengthening individual muscles supporting the knee is often the best option. Any discomfort felt before surgery is multiplied during rehabilitation.

Knee Patellofemoral Syndrome

Knee Surgery Alternative Treatments

Several conditions and injuries can cause knee­cap pain. In many cases, it occurs when the knee is not correctly aligned. This abnormal align­ment leads to pressure and friction between the knee­cap and the thigh bone. Friction inflames tendons and liga­ments that attach the kneecap to the bones of the knee joint, causing pain.

Patellofemoral syndrome (runner’s knee) is the most common cause of knee pain in people under 45 years of age. The condition develops in more women than men. Inflam­mation, to the sufferer, might feel as painful as a tear. However, the actual ailment dictates the course of treatment recommended by a physician.

Symptoms of patello­femoral syndrome vary, and you may not feel anything until several hours after an activity that stresses your knee. Symptoms may include:

  • A dull ache under, or around, the kneecap
  • Localized pain at the front of the knee
  • A grinding sensation when moving the knee
  • Pain going up and down stairs, kneeling, squatting, or sitting with the knee bent for a long time

Barring dislocation or fracture, anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, activity modification, weight loss, mechanical bracing, supportive foot­wear, and devices are primary remedies offered by osteopaths and orthopedic doctors. If there is no improve­ment after a year, various surgi­cal proce­dures may be considered. This includes arthro­scopy or realignment of the knee­cap.

Alternative surgical approaches to total knee replacement:

  • Stem cell paste graft
  • Meniscus transplant

Belgian physi­cians discovered a previously unknown tendon in the knee called the antero­lateral ligament (ALL). It aids in stabilizing the pivoting knee. Dr. Johan Bellemans, the lead surgeon on the study, says that about 80 percent of his patients with ACL tears also have an ALL injury.

Here is what Kaiser Permanente recommends to protect your knee and prevent injury:

  • Maintain your ideal weight.
  • Stay in shape by exercising regularly.
  • Learn exercises to strengthen your leg muscles.
  • Learn stretching exercises for your legs.
  • Increase your activity gradually.
  • Wear shoes with good support, which are designed for your activity.
  • Use an arch support if you have flat feet or high arches.

To sum it up, prevention requires at least as much effort as surgery. Gym membership—even with a personal trainer—is less expensive than surgery. Learn practical exercises to do at home or a gym to progressively strengthen muscles supporting your knees. It is a step required before or after surgery on your road to recovery.

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To support the writing of useful articles about orthopedics, ClinicalPosters sells human anatomy charts, scientific posters, and other products online. You may sponsor specific articles or remit a small donation.

ClinicalPosters sells human anatomy charts, scientific posters, and other products online to offset expense of the writing useful articles about orthopedics. Slide extra posters into DeuPair Frames without removing from the wall.

ClinicalPosters sells human anatomy charts, scientific posters, and other products online. You may remit a small donation.

You can support the writing of useful articles about orthopedics by sponsoring specific articles or remitting a small donation. Visible content is optimized for device size.

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