Knee replacement surgery is performed when a damaged or injured knee is replaced with an artificial implant or prosthetic. In the United States alone, over one million knee replacement procedures are performed each year, and over 60% of these surgeries are performed on women. This is due in part to the fact that women are more at risk for medical conditions like arthritis which are a leading cause of the need for knee replacement surgery. While this surgery might be an effective way to treat pain associated with underlying conditions in some patients, knee replacement for women often comes along with complications.
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Knee Replacement Complications
Once a patient begins experiencing complications or prolonged pain following a knee replacement procedure, options for treatment can become limited. Patients have a few choices, including the use of over-the-counter medication to manage pain, which does not treat pain at the source and might not lead to long-term relief. In some cases, physical therapy can help to ease pain and allow a patient to heal following surgery. In other rare cases, a second surgery might be necessary.
Common complications of knee surgery might include:
- Infections
- Bruising
- Prolonged pain
- Difficulty walking
And more.
How to Avoid Complications After Knee Replacement for Women
In order to avoid common complications after undergoing knee replacement, it is important for physicians to first consult potential patients to determine if they are a realistic candidate for such a major, invasive surgery. In cases where patients are not determined to be qualified to undergo a knee replacement procedure, alternative treatments like stem cell therapy can be a good option.
Stem Cell Therapy for Knee Pain
Knee replacement surgeries can be avoided altogether thanks to stem cell therapy at clinics like ThriveMD. Stem cell procedures are generally low-risk and are carried out without general anesthesia, with minimal postoperative discomfort, and require virtually no recovery downtime. Those who undergo stem cell procedures can plan to return to work in only a couple of days, and can resume normal activities including intense exercise or playing contact sports in only 4-6 weeks.
Stem Cell Procedures at ThriveMD
More than ninety percent of patients who have received stem cell procedures at ThriveMD have not needed to undergo additional surgery in the future. Medical director Dr. Scott Brandt is one of the few select physicians in the country to be trained in the groundbreaking technique that is saving many patients from undergoing invasive knee replacement or hip replacement surgery, spinal fusion surgery, and other invasive surgical procedures.
To learn more about stem cell therapy as an alternative to surgical procedures such as knee replacement for women or to see if you are a qualified candidate, contact ThriveMD today.