Here are five signs it may be time to consider a knee replacement:
- You Can No Longer Do the Things You Enjoy
Knee pain shouldn’t limit your lifestyle or keep you from the activities you love — whether that’s exercising or simply moving through your day with ease. As Dr. Cohen-Rosenblum notes, “Knee replacement surgery is about reclaiming life.” For many patients, it can restore comfort, improve mobility, and help them regain their independence. - Your Knee Is Always on Your Mind
Dr. Cohen- Rosenblum considers knee pain a “quality-of-life issue,” affecting not just how you move, but how you feel throughout the day. When pain becomes constant at work, during exercise, or even while trying to sleep it is a sign to explore whether knee replacement surgery could help you live more comfortably. - You’ve Exhausted Other Options
From physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications to injections, most people try a variety of non-surgical treatments to manage their knee pain. “If someone has truly worked through these options and still can’t live pain-free or do what matters to them, surgery becomes a reasonable recommendation,” says Dr. Cohen-Rosenblum. - You Have Knee Misalignment
Conditions such as bowing or knock-knee alignment can place uneven stress on the joint, accelerating damage over time. “The more severe the misalignment, the bigger the operation and the faster an implant may wear,” notes Dr. Cohen-Rosenblum. These issues can lead to increased pain, but addressing alignment early can help protect long-term joint health and mobility. - You’re in Good Health for Surgery
Overall health plays an important role in both surgery and recovery. Dr. Cohen-Rosenblum emphasizes that when knee pain limits activity, it can impact your overall health and wellness. After surgery, improved mobility often allows patients to become more active again while improving their overall well-being and quality of life.
Is Surgery Your Next Step?
It’s important to recognize when you may need or qualify for knee replacement surgery. “You can always choose surgery later, but you can’t undo it, so the timing must feel right,” says Dr. Cohen-Rosenblum. At NYU Langone Health, knee replacement surgery focuses not just on replacing the joint but on supporting a smooth recovery to help you return to the life you enjoy. If pain is holding you back from the activities that matter most, it may be worth exploring whether knee replacement is right for you. Knee replacement surgery is not the end of an active life, but a return to it.
MEET THE EXPERT
Anna Cohen-Rosenblum, MD
Associate Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery
Anna Cohen-Rosenblum, MD, an acclaimed hip and knee orthopedic surgeon at NYU Langone Health, offers insight into when it may be time to consider knee replacement surgery. But how do you know if you’re ready or if you qualify for one? Dr. Cohen-Rosenblum emphasizes that any decision to move forward with surgery should be a shared one between you and your physician. Knee replacement surgery is a safe and effective option for relieving chronic pain, correcting alignment, and restoring your mobility. For individuals living with severe arthritis, it can mean walking more comfortably, sleeping without pain, and returning to the activities they love.
The Sports Health experts at NYU Langone have the multi-specialty expertise to provide coordinated, comprehensive care for all types of athletes. As an official healthcare partner, Life Time can offer its members exclusive direct and easy access to NYU Langone’s world-class orthopedic specialists and performance experts, who can help you meet your health and fitness goals. To schedule an in-person appointment or video visit with a Sports Health expert, visit https://nyulangone.org/care-services/sports-health/request-appointment-lifetime.