If you experience knee pain, you know it can significantly reduce the quality of your life.
You don’t need to be an athlete to develop joint pain, but when you push your body to its limits, you may naturally be putting strain on your knee joints – and that additional strain can increase your risk of injury, knee pain, and arthritis.
Knee pain can also be the result of aging. As we get older, our joints become weak and painful from overuse. Everyday tasks like grocery shopping, hanging out with friends and family, or simply going for a short walk in the park on a sunny day are suddenly much more difficult than they used to be.
Depending on the cause of your knee pain and the level of pain you experience, you may either need knee reconstruction surgery or a knee replacement.
What Is Knee Reconstruction Surgery?
Knee reconstruction surgery is a procedure that aims to restore and repair the function of your joint (instead of replacing it).
For example, in a knee ligament reconstruction, a surgeon will replace a torn ligament with a tissue graft from a healthy tendon. This graft gives the new ligament a place to grow.
Due to advances in orthopedic technology, knee reconstruction surgery is usually less invasive than a total knee replacement. Knee reconstruction can reduce pain, increase mobility, and improve your quality of life.
You may be a good candidate for knee reconstruction surgery if you experience any of the following knee issues:
- Knee multi-ligament reconstruction
- Patella realignment
- Deformity correction
- Cartilage transplant
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury
- Osteoarthritis
- Inflammatory conditions
- Trauma
There are many different types of knee reconstruction surgeries, including resurfacing, arthroscopy, osteotomy, and arthrodesis. If you are a candidate for knee reconstruction surgery, your orthopedic surgeon will review your options (including the risks and benefits) of the types of procedures that you qualify for.
Knee Reconstruction Surgery Vs Replacement
Knee replacement surgery is a procedure that aims to replace a knee joint with an artificial one made of plastic, metal, or ceramic.
Your orthopedic surgeon may suggest a total knee replacement if you have one of the following issues:
- Arthritis
- Fractures
- Joint abnormalities
- Avascular necrosis (a lack of blood supply to the bone)
Risks Of Both Knee Reconstruction Surgery and Replacement Surgery
As with any surgical procedure, knee reconstruction surgery and knee replacement surgery come with risks. Some of them include:
- Bleeding or blood clots
- Infection around the replaced joint
- Injury or damage to the nerves
- Loosening of prosthetic parts, leading to dislocation
- Weakness, instability, or stiffness around the replaced joint, leading to a fracture
If you’re looking for a top orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine doctor to treat your knee pain, check out our Knee Surgery page, or call our Los Angeles & Van Nuys office to get started. With the right knee surgeon and recovery plan, you can start to feel better faster.
