If you’ve been dealing with chronic knee pain for years, you may be wondering if you need a knee replacement. In this physical therapy education article, we are going to discuss when you should consider knee replacement surgery compared to other treatment options.
Knee Replacement Surgery
Knee replacement surgery can help reduce pain and improve mobility in patients who have sustained injuries, or those who are dealing with degenerative conditions. The downside is that the procedure is more invasive than more conservative treatment methods. Many patients jump into knee replacement surgery too quickly without exploring alternative options that may relieve pain without having to go under the knife.
Try Physical Therapy First
Before you dive right into a knee replacement, it’s a good idea to exhaust your conservative treatment options (such as physical therapy) first. Physical therapy is a completely non-invasive treatment method that often works just as well as surgery for many patients with knee pain. It is also much less expensive that knee replacement surgery. For these reasons alone, it makes sense to at least try physical therapy before you pull the trigger on a knee replacement.
If you do need knee replacement surgery (which some patients do), it’s important to work with a physical therapist after your procedure to help you rebound as quickly as possible and regain your mobility.
Get Physical Therapy in Minnesota
At OrthoRehab Specialists, we have been providing physical therapy care to patients throughout the Twin Cities for three decades. We are recognized experts in our field, with more than 600 local providers regularly referring their patients to us for rehabilitation care. We also offer direct access to physical therapy for those patients who do not have a direct referral. Contact us today to set up your appointment with one of our Minnesota physical therapists at our Edina or Minneapolis clinics.