Arthritis Help Knee Replacement

Arthritis Help - Knee Replacement

If you have had arthritis in your knee or knees for a long time, sometimes the only arthritis help is from surgery. A knee replacement surgery can restore function to those that suffer from knee joint degeneration. I was informed by a surgeon once, that knee replacement surgery should only be performed as a last resort because it doesn't last forever. The surgeon cuts away all damaged bone from the kneecap, shin and thigh, when knee replacement surgery is performed. An artificial joint replaces the damaged bone.

Long ago there were only basic hinge joints, and artificial knee joints have come a long way since then. There are artificial knee joints available that will fit your age and lifestyle. These joints attempt to mimic your knee’s natural ability to roll and glide as it bends. There are specific criteria that your medical practitioner will take into account before recommending surgery for a knee replacement.

If you have pain that limits your daily activities, a knee replacement may be beneficial to you. Activities that may cause pain in a person with arthritic knees are climbing stairs, walking and getting in and out of a chair. You may even experience moderate to severe knee pain when at rest. These conditions would qualify you for knee replacement surgery.

Your medical practitioner may recommend knee replacement surgery if you have swelling and chronic knee stiffness that prevents you from straightening or bending your knee. This chronic stiffness will greatly limit your your activity level and mobility.

Your physician may take your age into consideration before he or she recommends knee replacement. A young, active, person may not be a good candidate for knee replacement surgery. The reason for this is that a younger person will wear out their new knee much faster than an older person. Therefore, a person over the age of fifty five has the advantage when it comes to qualifying for a knee replacement.

If you have tried other methods of arthritis help and they haven't worked, knee replacement surgery may be in order. Some of these methods may have included physical therapy, taking vitamins and supplements, rest, weight loss, medications, braces or walking aids.

Arthritis is not the only reason that a person may need a knee replacement. Sometimes the only way to correct a deformity of the knee is to replace it.

The number one criteria an individual must meet, is that they are healthy enough to go through the surgery. Certain medical conditions such as diabetes, chronic infections or restricted blood flow to your lower extremities will interfere with proper healing.

The surgery (as within any) has certain risks involved. Complications from a knee replacement surgery may include blood clots, infection, heart attack, nerve damage or stroke. Make sure you discuss these risks thoroughly with your doctor before you agree to the surgery.

Talk to your doctor about your surgical options if you are suffering from arthritis knee pain and you’re in relatively good health. Knee replacement surgery may be the best arthritis help for you.
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Arthritis Help In The Form Of Exercise

Arthritis Help In The Form Of Exercise

Exercise is one way of obtaining arthritis help. A form of arthritis or chronic joint pain is suffered by one in three Americans. Without arthritis help or therapies the pain and discomfort can lead to disability and functional loss. There are ways to manage the pain though, and one of those methods is to exercise. This is a cost-effective way of arthritis pain relief.

The type of arthritis exercise program will depend on which joints in the body have the arthritis, how stable the joints are, the amount of inflammation and pain, and whether or not there has been a joint replacement.

If the inflammation is severe, it would be best to take a natural remedy like mangosteen juice for a few days before attempting the exercise program. It is recommended to consult your medical practitioner before starting an arthritis exercise program, so he or she can assist you to work out what exercises will benefit your joints, and which ones might inadvertently cause more damage. A skilled doctor or physical therapist can tailor make a program to fit the needs of the individual.

Research has shown that folks with chronic joint pain get arthritis help from an exercise program. The programs appear to reduce stiffness, the joint pain, and increase the flexibility, strength and endurance. Weight reduction is also made easier and patients have an improved sense of well being, when they exercise. Those individuals with chronic joint pain and loss of mobility will benefit significantly from weight reduction, because the joints will have less weight to support and cushion, therefore causing less damage.

Exercise is only one part of a comprehensive rehabilitative plan for folks with arthritis. The plan also includes relaxation, rest, proper nutrition, medications and use of the joints correctly to conserve energy and decrease functional loss of mobility.

In an arthritis exercise program, there are 3 specific types of appropriate exercise.

1) To move toward or maintain flexibility, range of motion exercises are used, where the joint is moved through the range it already has.

2) Weight training will increase or keep muscle strength of the muscles that support the joints that are affected.

3) Aerobics or endurance exercises will improve cardiovascular fitness, control weight, and improve overall function.

Today most health clubs and community centers offer programs for people with limited mobility.

Before starting an exercise program discuss your plans with your medical practitioner and consult a physical therapist or qualified trainer. Before exercising, you may want to use some methods to decrease the initial discomfort when starting to exercise. You could apply heat to sore joints or apply heat to increase circulation and warm the joints while starting to exercise. You should stretch and warm up with range of motion exercises. Use low weights and short aerobic exercises and always start exercises slowly but especially with strength training.

Exercises should be performed at specific intervals. So, range of motion exercises can be done daily and should be done at least every other day to improve and maintain your range. Without overtaxing muscles and joints, strengthening exercises should be done every other day or three times per week to take full advantage of the muscle build up. Unless you have severe pain/swelling in your joints endurance exercises can be done for 20 –30 minutes three times a week.

If you experience pain that lasts more than 1 hour when you exercise, then it is too strenuous. Stop exercising and consult your physician if you experience decreased range of motion, persistent fatigue, increased weakness, continued pain or increased joint swelling.

Exercise programs are an integral part of a comprehensive rehabilitation program for people who suffer from arthritis and chronic joint pain. Following a good exercise program consistently will decrease your pain and increase flexibility and mobility and provide significant arthritis help.
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