WHEN TO TAKE ACTION
When is the right time for a new knee?
When you're ready to take your life back
You’ve tried the meds, the PT, the injections—everything your doctor’s thrown at it. Maybe it’s time to stop waiting and start moving toward something better.
A real Personalized Knee® experience
A real Personalized Knee® experience
4 signs that you should do something about it
Your pain is, well…a pain
That "ow" is always getting in the way, with no respect for your schedule
or lifestyle.
New and unwelcome challenges
The basics, like walking, climbing stairs, getting into bathtubs, getting in and out of chairs used to be easy.
But now, not so much, right?
Swelling
You have chronic knee inflammation and swelling that does not improve with rest or medications.
Old injuries
Over time, injuries sustained long ago can cause uneven wear on your joint that eventually leads to pain (but hey, a state championship was worth it, right?).
See Where Your Knees Stand
When it feels like you’ve tried everything else
A knee replacement may be worth considering if non-surgical treatments like physical therapy, medications, or injections are ineffective, and joint pain persists, interfering with your daily activities.
Signs to watch for include stiffness, swelling, limited movement, and pain that gets worse over time or after resting.
A real Personalized Knee® experience
Why do people choose knee replacement?
The Upside
- Let’s be honest—pain relief is one of the biggest reasons people choose knee replacement.
- It's a reliable solution that can last a certain number of years (depending on weight, activity level, and other factors) with revisions often requiring a replacement of only the plastic insert.
- Moving freely matters. If knee pain is cramping your style—or your daily routine—surgery might be the step that helps you stay active and doing the things you enjoy.
- Giving up what you love at 60 (or even way younger?) Nope. That’s way too young to hang up your hiking boots, yoga mat, or dance mat. Dr. Andrew Glassman*, chief of adult reconstructive surgery at Ohio State, puts it this way, “If a procedure can [extend] your ability to do those things for 25 years, that’s reasonable to do.”
*Paid consultant for Zimmer Biomet
The Downside
- Real talk? If you’re younger, a knee replacement might not be your last. What needs to be replaced later depends on how much wear and tear each part of the implant takes. Your weight, activity level, and even your social habits (yep, those count too) all play a role in how long your artificial joint lasts.
- As with any surgery, there are risks, including infection and blood clots. Over time, the implant itself could fail—whether due to a fracture, loosening, or other factors. Talk to your physician about the risks of joint replacement.
- A knee replacement can mean big improvements. Just know: it’s not a time machine. It’s a fresh start—one with limits, but also with a whole lot more possibility than pain.