Joint Replacement

Wear and tear, injury and conditions like rheumatoid arthritis can all take a toll on the body’s joints, causing stiffness and pain that can make moving difficult. When symptoms become severe, one option to relieve pain and restore mobility is to surgically remove the damaged joint and replace it with an artificial or prosthetic joint.

Regardless of its cause, joint pain and reduced mobility can significantly impact quality of life. If your symptoms are worsening and making it more difficult to enjoy life, your doctor may refer you to an orthopaedic surgeon to discuss your options for joint replacement.

Hip replacement surgery and knee replacement surgery are most common, but replacement surgeries for other joints, including ankle replacement and shoulder replacement, are also possible. Depending on the joint being replaced, there are a number of different procedures, and artificial joints may be made from a variety of materials.

When is Total Joint Replacement Surgery Recommended?

Before recommending surgery, an orthopaedic surgeon will suggest you first explore other treatment strategies, including:

• Weight loss to lessen the burden on the joint
• Exercise or physical therapy to strengthen surrounding muscles, or to address repetitive movements that may be worsening symptoms
• Non-steroidal medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to reduce swelling and pain
• Steroid injections like cortisone to lubricate and cushion the joint