Knee pain is often dismissed as part of ageing, especially when the symptoms still seem manageable. Rather than finding out what’s causing the discomfort, people might gradually change how they move to avoid aggravating it. They walk shorter distances, avoid stairs, or exercise less often. Although these adjustments can make daily life feel easier at first, moving less over time can affect muscle strength, physical conditioning, and confidence in the knee.
This was one of the issues Dr James Wee discussed in his recent conversation with Cheryl Goh on CNA938 Rewind – The Wellness Hour. He explained that getting persistent knee pain assessed doesn’t always result in surgery. Instead, it helps establish what’s happening within the joint, how much of the knee is affected, and which treatment is suitable. Depending on the findings, this might involve physiotherapy and other non-surgical care, cartilage repair in selected cases, partial knee replacement (PKR) when arthritis is limited to a suitable part of the knee, or total knee replacement (TKR) when the damage is more extensive.
The same need for clarity matters if TKR is recommended. For some patients, a second opinion can help them better understand why TKR has been recommended, whether PKR might still be suitable, and what recovery could involve. Dr Wee also touched on enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS), while noting that rehabilitation remains an important part of rebuilding strength and returning to activity. Together, these points reinforce why the decision isn’t only about whether to operate, but also when treatment is appropriate, how much of the knee needs to be addressed, and what the recovery process will require.
Listen to Dr James Wee on CNA938 Rewind – The Wellness Hour.
