Having joint pain on a regular basis might severely limit your ability to enjoy your usual activities. You might also have trouble doing everyday tasks due to soreness or stiffness. Depending on how severe joint pain is and how it’s affecting your life, joint replacement might be a treatment option to consider. Since this involves undergoing surgery, it’s important to make this decision carefully. You might want to consider joint replacement in the following circumstances.
Severe Chronic Pain
If you have severe chronic pain that interferes with your daily routine, you might want to discuss joint replacement with an orthopedic specialist. This kind of pain can make it difficult for you to handle tasks at home, work or school, which could affect your quality of life. You might also have to avoid doing activities or hobbies you usually enjoy. Severe chronic pain can make it hard for you to get regular physical activity as well, which could impact your health and well-being.
Pain When Resting
If you have chronic pain that doesn’t go away when you’re resting, joint replacement might be a treatment option to explore. Dealing with ongoing pain when you’re trying to relax or sleep can have a significant impact on your quality of life. When you’re unable to get a good night’s sleep regularly or rest without being in pain, you should consider joint replacement.
No Relief with Other Treatments
Pain relievers, cortisone injections, physical therapy, rest, heat and other forms of non-surgical treatment for joint pain should provide relief, even if it’s only temporary. When you have not been able to find effective relief with these types of treatments, joint replacement might help. Orthopedic specialists can help you learn more about this treatment option, including how it’s done and how effective it is.
Medication Side Effects
Some medications for joint pain can cause severe side effects. If these side effects are affecting your day-to-day activities, having the affected joint replaced might offer a safer form of relief. Orthopedic specialists can help you weigh the risks of undergoing joint replacement to see if it’s a suitable option for you.
Severe Joint Damage
Joint pain can be a symptom of arthritis or another condition that affects your joints. Over time, the affected joint can become severely damaged or experience significant wear and tear. You might be a good candidate for joint replacement if you have severe joint damage. This kind of damage can make it difficult to treat chronic joint pain effectively with medications and other non-surgical forms of treatment.
If you’re having trouble finding effective treatment for joint pain, contact Huntington Orthopedics for an appointment. Our orthopedic specialists will perform an evaluation to determine if joint replacement might be right for you.