The knee joint connects the thigh with the lower leg and allows a person to extend and flex his knee. The knee joint is a pivotal hinge joint and is the largest joint in the human body. Since most of a person's weight is supported by her knees, this joint can be injured easily, which can eventually lead to the need for replacement.
Knee Injuries
Pain in the knee joint is commonly caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and traumatic arthritis, reports the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage wears down and the bones of the knees begin to rub together when the person moves the knee. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the synovial membrane is inflamed and produces too much fluid that overfills the joint space. Traumatic arthritis can occur after serious knee injury, such as a fracture in the knee or ligament tears.
People At Risk For Knee Injuries
The MayoClinic.com reports that those who are at risk for developing knee joint pain include people who are over the age of 50, because the knee joint begins to wear down after years of activity. Osteoarthritis is also common in people over the age of 50. People who are overweight or obese can have knee joint problems because the extra weight is more than the knee is designed to carry and can lead to injuries.
Signs and Symptoms
The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons reports the following list of signs and symptoms for knee joint injuries: stiffness in the knee joint when trying to flex or extend the knee, stiffness in the knee joint, pain around the knee when active and loss of function of the knee joint. People with knee joint injuries will find it difficult to walk, sit or stand.
Knee Replacement Surgery
Conservative treatments such as over-the-counter pain medications, cortisone injections, applying ice and resting, wearing a knee brace and going to physical therapy are often attempted before a knee replacement is considered. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, a patient may be a candidate for knee replacement if the patient has pain both day and night, has trouble performing daily activities, inability to flex or extend his knee and inflammation that does not go away. Surgeons can replace up to three bones to help regain knee function.
Recovery
Recovery from a knee replacement surgery will take three to six weeks before the patient is able to resume normal daily activities. The patient will remain in the hospital for a few days and then recover at home while going to physical therapy. Light activities such as walking, golf, swimming are generally allowed after surgery, reports the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Running, contact sports, jumping and high-impact aerobics are considered dangerous activities after a knee replacement and should be avoided.
