Health experts say don’t put off getting a knee replacement

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) A new study found that 90% of Americans with osteoarthritis wait too long before having a knee replacement.

Published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, the study found when people wait too long to get a knee replacement their quality of life significantly decreases.

Health experts say it makes it harder to be active, which could lead to weight gain, depression, and other health problems.

In addition, people who wait too long may have a harder time recovering.

One health expert says it’s important to listen to what your body is telling you.

“The goal of these joint replacements is to get people back out, doing the things that they love, and staying engaged in their communities. Because if you’re in pain every day and you’re staying at home, that’s not good for your wellness on so many levels,” said Kariline Bringe, an orthopedic surgeon at Mayo Clinic Health System.

Bringe says although osteoarthritis isn’t life-threatening, it is life-altering.

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