How do I know when it's time for a knee replacement?

The signs that point towards surgery

• Pain that wakes you at night or is present even at rest
• Walking distance shrinking to a few hundred metres or less
• Difficulty with stairs, getting out of a car or rising from a chair
• Needing regular strong pain medication to get through the day
• A knee that is increasingly bowed, knock-kneed or unable to straighten
• Physiotherapy, weight management, bracing and injections no longer giving meaningful relief

What the X-ray adds

Standing X-rays show how much joint space has been lost and whether the bones are rubbing. Advanced changes, often described as bone on bone, support the decision, but they are not enough on their own. Some people with severe-looking X-rays manage well, and they do not need surgery simply because of the image. Equally, replacing a knee with only mild X-ray changes rarely gives a good result.

Is there a right age?

There is no fixed age. Replacements are most common from the sixties onward, but they can be appropriate earlier for severe arthritis, and older patients in good general health can do very well. What matters is the severity of arthritis, your overall health and what you want to be able to do.

Is it harmful to wait?

For most people waiting does no harm as long as the knee is not deteriorating quickly. Waiting too long has costs, though: muscles waste, the knee stiffens and deformity increases, which can make recovery slower. The decision is yours, made with clear information.

What an assessment involves in Doha

At Aman Hospital, Dr. Gelber reviews your history and previous treatment, examines movement, alignment and stability, and looks at standing X-rays. He will tell you whether a replacement is reasonable now, whether a partial replacement or osteotomy might suit you, or whether more conservative care is worth trying first.