Ligament injuries, cartilage damage, and osteoarthritis are the most common causes of chronic knee pain. These are associated with athletic activities and accidents, resulting in loss of mobility, discomfort, and general instability. Patients will seek medical attention when they can no longer place weight on the affected leg comfortably, and the joint begins to show signs of deformity, the pain awakens them up at night, the knee joint locks suddenly without any reason, and the patient experiences swelling and inflammation.
These are among the most common symptoms of a knee problem. The doctor will prescribe certain treatment based on the patient’s overall health, however. Knee replacements are considered only as a last resort, only if other treatment have been completely exhausted first. These treatments may include resting to control inflammation, using a walking device, alternating ice and heat, daily stretching or exercise, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, and/or cortisone injections.
When patients begin to experience knee arthritis, they are usually over 50 years old. Being overweight may cause the condition to worsen. Osteoarthritis is also genetic. It is a very difficult decision for many who need to undergo knee replacement. The surgery could take up to three hours and requires a 8-12 inch incision. Activities such as running and jumping need to discontinued. A patient usually decides to undergo joint replacement due to loss of sleep, the inability to climb stairs or rise from a chair, and immobility which prevents normal walking, exercise and travel.
Many patients are able to move the joint immediately post-surgery and 85% of implanted knees continue working well 20 years after the first surgery. As a Zimmer knee recall lawyer, I suggest you or a loved one who may have experienced pain and suffering from the Zimmer NexGen knee implant have your case evaluated with a knowledgeable lawyer, should you need one in the NexGen Lawsuit.
