About half a million Americans alone require knee replacement surgery every year, and this number is expected to increase significantly due to the desire of many older Americans to maintain and prolong active lifestyles. There are many reasons why one may need to undergo knee replacement surgery, such as

• Osteoarthritis - a disease associated with aging where joint cartilage degenerates until there is no cushioning between joints. About 21 million Americans suffer from this disease annually.
• Obesity - too much body weight places excessive stress on the hips and knee joints
• Prior Injury
• Weak Muscles
• Nerve Injury
• Overuse of the knee from strenuous work or sports
• The desire to remain physically active

Knee replacement surgery normally requires a 12-inch incision and hospitalization on average for a week. Damaged bone and cartilage are removed from the shinbone, thighbone and kneecap. An artificial joint made of ceramic, polymer and metal alloys is implanted to refashion the joint. The patient will require the use of crutches or a walker for a period of 4-6 weeks. Full recovery can take anywhere from three to six months. The replaced knee should last up to 20 years.

However, as an alternative to total knee replacement - there are other several alternative surgical options to take into consideration prior to making the final decision. These alternatives are usually less invasive than a total knee replacement, less painful and have faster recovery times.

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Different treatment options are appropriate for varying levels of severity, but the most common alternatives to total knee replacement are:

Arthroscopy, which uses small incisions and miniature instruments to take a look into the knee, to help determine advanced the damage is. The surgeon can trim damaged cartilage, remove any loose particles or debris, and clean up the joint space.

Osteotomy, which reshapes the bones to improve knee alignment, may be recommended if damage to the knee cartilage is primarily in one section.

Arthroplasty, which is a joint replacement procedure that replaces diseased bone and tissue with a new surface. If the arthritis is isolated to one side of the knee, partial knee replacement may be recommended, which is the replacement of only the joint surface in the damaged area of the knee. If the disease is more extensive, a full or total joint surface replacement may be necessary.

Computer-assisted joint replacement surgery, which includes technology that allows the surgeon to visualize the bones on a computer screen and check each step of the surgery in real-time, using three-dimensional images. Computer-assisted surgery allows surgeons to implant knee replacements with improved precision that enhances the chance for long-term viability of the replaced joint.

A total knee replacement is still an aggressive procedure and shouldn’t be entered into lightly. By the time the final decision is made to undergo total knee replacement surgery, the patient should be aware of other minimally invasive surgery alternatives such as the ones discussed previously.

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