What is the Difference Between Knee Replacement and Knee Resurfacing? 

What is the Difference Between Knee Replacement and Knee Resurfacing? 

What is the Difference Between Knee Replacement and Knee Resurfacing? When we face a problem with our knees knowing the right way to fix it can seem hard. Two common ways are knee replacement and knee resurfacing. Each method has its own good points that make it fit for different people. It’s vital to understand what each surgery does so you can pick the best one. 

Knee replacement is a choice when damage in your knee is big. In this case doctors take out the damaged part and put in a new part made of metal or plastic. This can let you move better and feel less pain. On the other hand knee resurfacing may be used when only some parts of the knee are bad. 

Some folks might worry about how long they will need to get well after these surgeries. Both kinds need time to heal but don’t think that they will keep you down for too long. With care from your doctor and doing exercises as told many go back to their normal day-to-day work soon enough. 

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Procedure Overview 

Knee replacement surgery is a big step for those with joint pain. In this procedure doctors take out the bad knee parts. They put in new parts made of strong stuff like metal or plastic. This can help you move your knee in a smooth way and cut down on pain. The goal here is to make your knee work as good as it once did. 

On the flip side we have knee resurfacing which keeps more of your own knee parts. Only the surface of the bone gets shaped anew and covered with metal caps. This method is less big than full-on replacement and keeps more of your natural bone in place. It’s often picked by those not needing a whole new knee. 

So what makes one pick between these two choices? Well it depends on how bad their knee problem is and other health facts too. Knee replacement might be better for big damage while resurfacing could work for less severe cases. 

Orthopedic surgery has come far today giving us these ways to fix our knees. Both surgeries need skill from the doctor and time to get well after them are done. Whether you go through replacement or resurfacing they both aim to boost how you walk and lessen any hurt you feel in your day-to-day life. 

Benefits of Knee Replacement 

Knee replacement surgery offers a new chance for people with serious knee pain. The big win here is a huge drop in pain after the surgery. Most find they can move around much easier once they heal up. It’s great for those who found little help from other ways like medicine or physical therapy. 

Another plus is that this type of orthopedic surgery has a track record of lasting results. Many folks report their new knee works well for many years. This means less worry about having to go through it all again soon. You get back to doing things you love without that bad knee pain holding you back. 

The materials used in knee replacement are top-notch and built to last long too. They’re made to take on the stress we put on our knees every day. With good care your new joint will keep up with your active life well into the future. 

Lastly let’s talk about how this helps your whole body work better as one unit. A strong working knee means less strain on other parts like hips or the lower back. So by fixing your knee right you’re taking good care of more than just that one part – it’s a full-body benefit!

Benefits of Knee Resurfacing 

Knee resurfacing can be a super choice for those not ready for full knee replacement. It keeps more of your natural knee which is something many people like. The surgery targets only the damaged area leaving healthy bone and cartilage in place. This means you keep much of your knee’s natural feel after the operation. 

One key benefit to this option is a shorter stay at the hospital and quicker recovery time. Many folks find they’re back on their feet doing what they love faster than with full replacement. Less invasive surgeries mean less time healing so you won’t miss out on life for too long. 

Orthopedic surgery has grown to offer ways like resurfacing that fit different needs better. If you have pain but don’t need a whole new knee yet this could be right up your alley. It’s vital to talk with your doctor about if it’s good for you – they know best how it stacks up against other choices! 

Who is a Candidate? 

Deciding who’s right for knee replacement starts with looking at pain and movement limits. If your knee hurts a lot and you can’t move well even after trying other treatments this surgery might be for you. It’s often the way to go when arthritis makes daily tasks tough. The damage in your knee plays a big part in choosing to replace it. 

Knee resurfacing has its own set of rules for who it works best on. It’s usually picked by younger patients whose bones are still strong but have surface-level damage. This option also suits those who lead an active life and want quicker recovery times. Your doctor will check out if most of your knee is still healthy before saying yes to just resurfacing. 

It’s important that candidates for either surgery are ready to follow through with rehab after the operation. Good results need work both from the surgeon during surgery and from the patient afterward in therapy sessions. Being willing and able to put in that effort makes all the difference. 

Other health issues play a role too when figuring out if you’re fit for these surgeries or not. Doctors look at your whole health picture, not just your painful knee, so they know what’s safe for you. Things like heart condition or diabetes may affect their decision on which procedure – if any – is best suited. 

Lastly expectations need to be realistic about what orthopedic surgery can do for them. Surgery aims to make day-to-day life better but it isn’t always a perfect fix; some symptoms might stay around even after healing up completely. 

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Recovery and Rehabilitation 

Recovery from knee replacement starts right after you leave the operating room. The focus is on getting your knee moving again and building strength in the muscles around it. Most people stay in the hospital for a few days to start rehab under care. It’s common to use crutches or a walker at first as you learn to walk with your new knee. 

The healing time can vary but often takes several weeks before normal activities can resume. Physical therapy is key during this period helping you regain movement and prevent stiffness. Your therapist will guide you through exercises aimed at improving flexibility and strength gradually. 

Knee resurfacing patients usually have a quicker path back to their everyday life because it’s less invasive. They might get up and walking much sooner than those who had total replacements done. Still they must stick with physical therapy routines just like anyone else who has had major orthopedic work done.

For both types of surgeries following doctor’s orders post-op makes all the difference for how well you heal up. This means taking any given medicines correctly, caring for your wound as told, and not pushing yourself too hard too soon. 

Long-term success depends on keeping up with exercises even after formal rehab ends; staying active helps keep that new knee working well long into the future! 

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Frequently Asked Questions 

The answers provided here are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice.