Arthritis: When Is It Time For Joint Replacement Surgery?

What To Consider With Joint Replacement Surgery

Deciding whether joint replacement surgery is right for an individual depends on several factors, including symptoms, the extent of the joint damage, and risk factors. Joint replacement surgery may be recommendedto a patient if nonsurgical treatments like medications, physical therapy, and changes to everyday life do not relieve pain.

What To Consider With Joint Replacement Surgery

Deciding whether joint replacement surgery is right for an individual depends on several factors, including symptoms, the extent of the joint damage, and risk factors. Joint replacement surgery may be recommendedto a patient if nonsurgical treatments like medications, physical therapy, and changes to everyday life do not relieve pain.

What is joint replacement surgery?

Joint replacement surgery is the removal of damaged or diseased aspects of a joint. These damaged areas are removed and replaced with new, synthetic joint parts to relieve pain and help the joint work better.

Replacement joints are designed to support you for a long time

Replacement joints are made of metal, ceramic, plastic, or a combination of these materials. These synthetic parts are designed to support joints, provide mobility, and to last for many years to come.

Who is a good candidate for joint replacement surgery?

The major causes of joint replacements are due to osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. These types of arthritis can cause significant pain and reduce the motion of joints. Advanced arthritis causes inflammation and damage to the joints, which can lead to irreversible destruction and dysfunction of the joint. Joints most often affected are hands, knees, hips, and spine.

What factors contribute to arthritis?

While arthritis does not have a specific cause, some factors contribute to joint weakening that leads to arthritis, including:

• Heredity
• Joint development problems
• Age
• Joint injuries
• Genetic problems with the cartilage

Risks and complications associated with surgery

Joint replacement surgery, like any surgery, has risks and possible complications. These risks include:

• Heart attack
• Blood clots
• Infection
• Stroke
• Nerve damage

Pain relief is a major benefit of joint replacement surgery

Joint replacement surgery can provide patients with pain relief, joint mobility, and a better quality of life. During joint replacement surgery, the surgeon removes damaged surfacesthat get rid of the pain because the diseased cartilage and bone are no longer there.

Will you be more mobile after surgery?

Joint replacement surgery also improves the function and mobility of joints. The new joints provide flexibility and strength and enhance a patient’s quality of life.  Many patients are able to take up new activities and walk longer distances without assistive devices.

Joint replacements last a long time

Recent studies have shown that 90% of hip replacements and 93% of total knee replacements last 15 years or longer. Recent advancements in medical technology and surgical procedures suggest future joint replacements will have increased longevity.

Is joint replacement surgery right for me?

For many patients, joint replacement surgery is a last resort when nonsurgical treatment has not been successful. Joint replacement surgery might be considered when joint pain:

• Restricts activities of daily life
• Continues despite pain medication
• Prevents sleep
• Affects the ability to walk, go up or downstairs, or stand for long periods
• Makes sitting up from a seated position difficult

Reach out to your doctor

There are many benefits to joint replacement surgery for patients with continuous pain and mobility issues. Discuss with an orthopedic surgeon what the best course of treatment is and if a joint replacement is beneficial.