Knee'd to know: alternatives to total knee replacement
Almost 800,000 total knee replacements (TKRs) are done in the U.S. every year, offering many folks a chance to reclaim total mobility. But the surgery is complex, recovery demanding, and it can pose difficulties for people with severe obesity and some heart and lung problems.
Fortunately, there are now a couple of possible alternatives that are minimally invasive and have a quick recovery time.
A procedure called genicular artery embolization can ease pain by blocking a specific network of abnormal blood vessels around the knee joint that develop from osteoarthritis and contribute to inflammation and cartilage damage. Researchers presented their newest findings on the procedure at the annual meeting of the Radiological Association of North America: Patients' "Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score" improved by 85%. But there's not yet data comparing outcomes with TKR five years out. Most insurance covers this but double-check with yours.
Another alternative is autologous chondrocyte implantation. Doctors take a sample of your cartilage cells, grow them in a lab and then surgically replant them in your knee. This offers renewed padding between the bones. It's particularly effective in younger patients and athletes, but there's also not yet data comparing five-year outcomes with TKR. Check your insurance coverage.
For tips on how to help prevent knee problems, check out the lifestyle upgrade info in "Dr. Oz: 3 Ways to Help Prevent Osteoporosis | The Oprah Winfrey" at YouTube.com. And to get support for upgrading your lifestyle habits, sign up for the free newsletter at LongevityPlaybook.com.
Dr. Mike Roizen is the founder of www.longevityplaybook.com, and Dr. Mehmet Oz is global advisor to www.iHerb.com, the world's leading online health store. Roizen and Oz are chief wellness officer emeritus at Cleveland Clinic and professor emeritus at Columbia University, respectively. Together they have written 11 New York Times bestsellers (four No. 1's).
(c)2025 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
Comments