If you have chronic joint pain and are wondering whether you should consider the possibility of having a total joint replacement, there are several factors to consider. First of all, you will want to exhaust all of your nonsurgical options with your orthopedic doctor before considering surgery.
Let’s talk about some of the main considerations that doctors take into account when assessing a patient’s suitability for a joint replacement:
Age
Generally, patients who are between the ages of 65 and 80 are ideal candidates for joint replacement surgery. Patients who are only in their 40s or 50s but have severe pain from years of playing sports or engaging in high-impact exercises may also be considered to be good candidates for this procedure because it will help to relieve their pain.
Healthy patients who are in their 90s have received successful joint replacements, too. Talk to your doctor about what would be the best treatment in your case.
Weight
If you are within a healthy weight range, then this is a good indicator that joint replacement surgery might work very well for you. Being notably overweight can increase a patient’s risk of complications from any type of surgery because the extra body fat puts excess pressure on the cardiovascular system.
Good Overall Health
Before recommending surgery to a patient, doctors will first assess the patient’s probable favorable response to the operation by reviewing their personal health history and determining any risk factors. Underlying conditions such as diabetes or osteoporosis can negatively impact the patient’s suitability for a joint replacement.
Failure to Respond to Conservative Treatments
Doctors usually want to exhaust all conservative methods of treatment before recommending invasive surgery. If the patient is not having success with conservative treatment, such as medication, pain-relief injection therapy, physical therapy, and even outpatient arthroscopy, then joint replacement surgery is usually the next logical step to fix the problem of pain and immobility.
Orthopedic Specialists in Sarasota and Bradenton, FL
The best way to find out whether you are a good candidate for joint replacement surgery is to make an appointment with a skilled and experienced orthopedic surgeon. Here at Intercoastal Medical Group, our orthopedic physicians are ready to assess your joint pain and determine what treatment might be best for you.
If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment with one of our outstanding orthopedists, contact us today by calling our Beneva Professional Center at (941) 955-6748 or our Lakewood Ranch I office at (941) 362-8662, or by filling out our easy-to-use online appointment request form now. We look forward to helping you enjoy a more pain-free lifestyle once again!
