Knee Replacement for Chronic Arthritis

For many, the simple act of standing up or walking to the mailbox becomes a source of dread. When you live with chronic knee arthritis, pain isn’t just a physical sensation; it is a constant companion that dictates your schedule, ruins your sleep, and slowly chips away at your independence. You might find yourself turning down social invitations or avoiding stairs entirely.

Eventually, many people find that the methods they used to manage their discomfort: pills, creams, or even the occasional injection, just don’t cut it anymore. When every step feels like bone rubbing against bone, knee replacement surgery often enters the conversation. But can this procedure truly provide a permanent fix for arthritis pain?

Understanding Chronic Knee Arthritis

To understand how surgery helps, we first have to look at what is happening inside the joint. Healthy knees are lined with a slippery, rubbery tissue called cartilage. This acts as a shock absorber, allowing the bones to glide over each other without friction.

What Causes Knee Arthritis Pain?

Arthritis isn’t a single disease but rather a way to describe joint inflammation and damage. The most common forms include:

Osteoarthritis: This is the “wear and tear” type. Over years of use, or due to genetics, the cartilage thins out and eventually wears away completely.
Inflammatory Arthritis: Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis cause the body’s immune system to attack the joint lining, destroying cartilage and bone.
Post-Traumatic Arthritis: This happens after a major injury, such as a broken bone or torn ligament. Even if the injury was years ago, it can change how the joint moves, leading to faster decay.

Also Read: Osteoarthritis and Joint Damage: Why Early Treatment Can Delay or Prevent Surgery

Why Arthritis Pain Gets Worse Over Time

Arthritis is progressive. Once cartilage begins to fray, it cannot heal itself. As the cushioning disappears, the thigh bone and shin bone begin to rub directly against each other. This friction creates bone spurs, swelling, and a loss of alignment. You might notice your legs starting to look “bowed” or “knock-kneed,” which only adds to the mechanical stress on the joint.

When Conservative Treatments Stop Working

Common Non-Surgical Treatments Patients Try First

Most doctors recommend starting with non-surgical methods. You may have already tried:

Medications: Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories to manage swelling.
Physical Therapy: Exercises to strengthen the muscles around the knee.
Injections: Cortisone to dull inflammation or “gel” shots (hyaluronic acid) to provide temporary lubrication.

Signs It May Be Time to Consider Surgery

When do you move from “managing” the pain to “fixing” the problem? Consider these signs:

Limited Mobility: You can’t walk more than a block or two without needing to sit down.
Night Pain: The ache in your knee is so sharp or persistent that it wakes you up at night.
Deformity: Your knee is visibly swollen or beginning to drift out of alignment.
No Relief: You’ve tried therapy and shots, but the relief only lasts a few days or weeks.

Also Read: Is Total Knee Replacement Surgery Right for You?

What Knee Replacement Surgery Actually Does

A knee replacement isn’t actually a “replacement” of the whole joint in the way you might think. It is more like “resurfacing.”

How Surgery Relieves Pain

During the procedure, the surgeon removes the thin layer of damaged cartilage and a small amount of the underlying bone. In its place, the surgeon fits metal components onto the ends of the bones. A medical-grade plastic spacer is inserted between these metal pieces, acting as the new cartilage. Because the raw, nerve-rich bone is no longer rubbing against bone, the primary source of arthritis pain is removed.

Total vs. Partial Knee Replacement

Total Knee Replacement: This is the standard for patients where arthritis has spread throughout the joint. It addresses all compartments of the knee.
Partial Knee Replacement: If the damage is limited to just one side or section of the knee, a partial replacement may be possible. This involves a smaller incision and often a faster return to normal life, though it is only suitable for certain candidates.

Can Knee Replacement Eliminate Arthritis Pain Completely?

What Most Patients Experience After Surgery

Most people who undergo this surgery report a massive drop in their pain levels. Activities that were once impossible, like grocery shopping or walking through an airport, become manageable again. The sharp, “toothache-like” arthritis pain is typically gone once the surgical site heals.

Why Results Vary From Patient to Patient

While the surgery is highly successful, your individual experience depends on:

Your Pre-Op Condition: If you waited until your muscles were very weak, your recovery might take longer.
Rehabilitation: Success is a 50/50 split between the surgeon’s work and your commitment to your exercises afterward.
Health Factors: Smoking or high blood sugar can slow down the healing of the tissues around the new joint.

How Long Do Knee Replacement Results Last?

Longevity of Modern Knee Implants

Modern implants are built to stay in place for a long time. Data shows that roughly 90% to 95% of knee replacements still function well after 15 years, and many last 20 years or longer. Improvements in the way the plastic spacers are manufactured have significantly reduced the rate at which they wear down.

Can Arthritis Pain Return After Knee Replacement?

Technically, you cannot get arthritis in the parts of the knee that have been replaced, because the metal and plastic cannot “inflame” or “wear out” like biological tissue. However, you may feel new sensations. Some people notice a clicking sound or a feeling of stiffness in cold weather. These are usually normal and not a sign that the arthritis is back.

Recovery and Rehabilitation Expectations

Early Recovery Timeline

Most patients are up and walking with a walker or cane within hours of surgery. Managing swelling is the biggest challenge in the first two weeks. You will likely use ice machines and elevation to keep the joint comfortable while the skin and muscles heal.

Long-Term Rehabilitation and Strength

The “gold standard” for a great result is physical therapy. You will spend several months working on two things: range of motion, straightening and bending the leg, and strength, building the quads and glutes. The stronger your muscles are, the less stress is placed on the new implant.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Knee Replacement?

You might be a candidate if:

X-rays show “bone-on-bone” changes.
Pain interferes with your job or your ability to care for yourself.
You have realistic expectations, understanding that while the knee will feel much better, it may not feel exactly like a “natural” 20-year-old knee.

Risks and Considerations

No surgery is without risk. Potential issues include blood clots, infection, or scarring that limits movement. Choosing a surgeon who performs a high volume of these procedures can help lower these risks. It is a partnership between you and your medical team to navigate these possibilities safely.

Life After Knee Replacement

Activities Patients Can Enjoy Again

Once you have recovered, the world tends to open back up. Patients often return to:

Walking, hiking, and swimming.
Golfing and doubles tennis.
Traveling and playing with grandchildren.

Activities That May Be Limited

It is generally advised to avoid high-impact activities like long-distance running or jumping sports, as these can cause the plastic components to wear out faster than intended.

Also Read: How Early Intervention with Partial Knee Replacement Preserves Joint Health

Final Thoughts

Is Knee Replacement the Right Long-Term Solution?

Knee replacement is widely regarded as one of the most successful procedures in all of medicine. While no surgery is without risk, the “risk” of doing nothing is often a life spent in a chair, missing out on the things you love. By removing the damaged surfaces and restoring the mechanics of the leg, this surgery offers a path back to a life where pain isn’t the main character.

Are you tired of knee pain limiting your life? Dr. John Philip Andrawis is a hip and knee replacement specialist in Torrance, CA, dedicated to helping patients regain their mobility. Whether you are curious about Mako robotic-assisted surgery or want to explore your non-surgical paths, our team is here to help.

Contact Southern California Orthopedic Surgeon today to schedule your consultation.

Can Knee Replacement Relieve Chronic Arthritis Pain for Good?