“I Can’t Take a Year Off” — When It’s Time for Knee Replacement Surgery

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Dr. Takem interviews Dr. Russ on knee surgery challenges for chronic pain patients, highlighting emotional factors and the need for joint replacements when conservative measures fail, emphasizing support's role in enhancing quality of life.

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Russ about one of the hardest conversations we have in clinic, what to do when chronic knee pain reaches the point where surgery is on the table. I share the kind of patient fear I hear all the time, the worry about recovery, time off work, and whether life will be put on pause. Dr. Russ and I walk through what non-surgical options can realistically do, things like injections, physical therapy, and medications, and where they reach their limits. We also discuss when a knee replacement becomes the right next step, not because anyone wants surgery, but because conservative measures stop working and function keeps slipping. We spend time on the emotional side too, how intimidating surgery feels, why patients delay it, and what they actually need from their doctors during that process. Dr. Russ explains how ongoing support before and after surgery can change the entire experience, and why, for many people, joint replacement ends up being the turning point that gives them their mobility and quality of life back.

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