Knee Surgery Basics: When and How To Get A ReferralWhen one’s knees don’t cause problems, they’re barely noticeable. However, when one is experiencing knee pain, problems with knee mobility, or other knee issues, it can be hard to think of anything else. While a well-functioning knee demands no attention at all, knees that aren’t working normally can be incapacitating.

There are many treatments available for painful knees, including oral medications, topical medications, injected medications, exercise or physical therapy regimes, lifestyle changes like weight loss, and nutritional supplements and other dietary changes. However, when these treatments don’t seem to help, it may be time to consider surgery.

Doctors will generally attempt to solve any problems with a patient’s knees by means other than surgery prior to suggesting it. If you are coming to the end of your patience with other forms of treatments, or if your mobility has become severely impacted by the problems with your knees, it may be worthwhile to contact your physician and find out if you are a good candidate for knee surgery.

Types of Knee Surgery

There are two major types of surgery that may be suggested: arthroscopic surgery and knee replacement surgery. Arthroscopic surgery is done to remove damaged cartilage inside the knee with the use of a thin tube and a tiny camera. The recovery time from arthroscopic surgery is short and relatively pain free. The relief from pain felt after arthroscopic surgery, however, is typically temporary. Knee replacement surgery is more invasive, and requires a much longer recovery period (several months) but can give relief from pain for years, or even for the rest of one’s life.

Knee replacement surgery involves opening up the leg and removing all parts of the knee joint (up to and including the entire joint) which are causing pain, and replacing those parts (or the entire joint) with artificial components. These components may be made of metal, plastic, or combinations of these materials.

Getting a Knee Surgery Referral

Typically, it is one’s general practitioner that will provide the patient with a referral to a specialist who will make the final decision regarding whether or not knee surgery is an appropriate treatment for the patient’s condition, and what type of knee surgery is recommended. Once these recommendations have been made, the patient can then start their search for the best knee surgeon to carry out the operation.

Choosing a Knee Surgeon

Knee surgery can have a huge impact on the patient’s life, and choosing the best knee surgeon should be a top priority. A good surgeon will be interested in fully reviewing a patient’s history and determining whether or not the recommendations for surgical treatment are warranted. He or she will also discuss the surgery with the patient at length, explaining in-depth what the surgery will require and what the patient can expect in terms of recovery and prognosis. Physical therapy, for example, may be required after knee surgery, and the surgeon should be thorough in explaining these types of considerations to the patient in advance.

Los Angeles residents should navigate to the following website for all local health information: Best Knee Surgeons Los Angeles