There is no set formula to decide when you should have a knee replacement.
The main reason to have a knee replacement is pain. If you have tried all other forms of non-operative treatment including anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, and injections it may be time to think about surgery.
Knee replacement is a great surgery for restoring quality of life and functionality. I like to tell my patients a new knee replacement may not be as good as what mother nature originally gave you, but it’s a pretty darn close second, and great at restoring functionality! A knee replacement may be a little stiffer than a normal knee, larger in appearance compared to an unoperated knee, and click occasionally since it is constructed of metal and plastic. Those sacrifices for most are well worth the enhanced mobility, and reduced pain.