Is it time for joint replacement?

If you have exhausted non-surgical treatments for hip or knee pain, you may be desperately looking for other options. While typically recommended as a last resort, joint replacement can eliminate your pain and improve your mobility, which can dramatically improve your quality of life.

Here are five signs knee or hip replacement surgery may be right for you:

1. Persistent hip or knee pain: If you experience persistent pain that significantly impacts your quality of life.

“Hip or knee replacement should be considered when you are not able to do routine daily activities, like go to the grocery store, because you are concerned about your hip or knee hurting, or inciting a flare,” says Dr. Andrew Rizzi, an orthopedic surgeon at Aurora Health Care.

2. Ineffective pain management: If the pain cannot be adequately controlled with medication, injections or other non-surgical treatments.

3. X-rays show bone-on-bone: If X-ray images reveal significant joint damage, such as bone-on-bone contact due to cartilage loss and suggest advanced arthritis among other conditions.

4. Pain is constant: If your joint pain or stiffness is felt even when resting or if you are experiencing significant swelling or joint deformity.

5. A medical professional recommends surgery: If your doctor or orthopedic specialist determines that you are a safe candidate for joint replacement surgery based on factors such as your overall health, weight and the severity of your condition.

Causes of hip and knee pain

Hip and knee pain can stem from various causes. Arthritis is the most common cause, particularly osteoarthritis resulting from joint wear and tear over time. Other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and even psoriasis, can contribute to joint pain. Avascular necrosis, characterized by the loss of blood supply to the hip joints, can also lead to severe pain that requires joint replacement surgery.

Pain management

Lifestyle modifications, such as weight management through diet and exercise, alongside over-the-counter medications and knee braces, are recommended to manage pain and potentially avoid surgery. Alternative therapies, like physical therapy and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) units, can also provide relief.

“Not all patients are candidates for hip or knee replacement, but your health care provider will work with you to address any modifiable risk factors to optimize surgical preparedness,” Dr. Rizzi says. “They also will provide a host of non-surgical measures to treat your pain in the interim.”

Despite common misconceptions, age alone does not determine if it’s safe to have surgery.

“The longer you wait and the older you are, the more difficult it can be to recover from joint replacement surgery,” says Dr. Junaid Makda, an orthopedic surgeon at Advocate Health Care. “If you wait too long, you may be ready for joint replacement, but the rest of your body might not be. Plus, joint replacement surgery can have a positive impact on your quality of life which should be a top priority.”

Hip and knee replacements have an excellent track record but may not be right for you, explains Dr. Rizzi. “Whether it’s timing, life concerns, or medical status, your health care provider understands and will walk alongside you during your journey,” he says.

Take a free online quiz to learn more about your hip or knee pain. Or find an orthopedic specialist near you: Illinois | Wisconsin