My 75-year-old mother has osteoporosis in her right knee. Cortisone injections helped her with the pain at first, but they no longer have any effect. Is a knee transplant her only option? That’s what her doctor is telling her.
There is another type of injection rhat might help her. It contains a compound which allows cartilage to grow, if she still has any left. A Lidocaine or Flector (anti-inflammatory medication) patch might delay her need for a knee transplant. If neither the alternative injection nor the patches help with her pain, then a knee replacement would be the next step.
There are various types of artificial knees. Some are not indicated for women who are over 70 and have high blood pressure. The patient’s health and general medical condition is also important when considering surgery. Please consult with an Orthopedist so he/she can offer you the most up-to-date advice. You may also want to do your own research on the web based upon the information your Orthopedist recommends. I hope that your mother is helped by one of the above treatments.