People living with advanced arthritis or other degenerative joint diseases that are unable to successfully manage pain with medications, modification of activity or physical therapy may be ideal candidates for joint replacement surgery. The surgery is typically considered an elective procedure, which means the decision is made by an individual based on the recommendation of a physician.
Some people believe joint replacement surgery should be postponed for as long as possible. They believe having the surgery when they are older reduces the possibility of their joint implant “wearing out” in their lifetime and needing a second surgery down the road.
However, due to a variety of factors, orthopedic surgeons are seeing younger patients who require joint replacement surgery. Today’s joint implants are designed to provide long lasting relief. The goal is to find the implant that best matches the patient’s lifestyle needs and eliminate the pain of arthritis.
What are the deciding factors to have joint replacement surgery? Your orthopedic surgeon will educate you about the procedure and its potential benefits, side effects and complications. Once you have the knowledge needed to make an informed decision, your surgeon will count on you to determine when the pain becomes unbearable.
Many factors for deciding on joint replacement surgery include:
- A reduction in your ability to work or enjoy hobbies and recreational activities
- Persistent pain even when your joint is at rest, making sleep difficult
- Experiencing substantial pain even after undergoing non-surgical treatment options, such as medication and physical therapy
- Avoiding the use of your afflicted joint because of significant pain; this may lead to other health problems like weight gain due to lack of exercise
- Reaching a point where it seems your pain controls your entire life
- Joint replacement surgery may not be for everyone. The key to deciding if you should have the surgery is weighing the benefits and risks through open communication with your physician.
For more information, visit www.jointreplacement.com.