Having a total joint replacement is most often recommended for people who have advanced arthritis in the joint – so advanced that it causes chronic or debilitating pain. This is most often due to osteoarthritis, or wear-and-tear arthritis (or just “arthritis”), in which the protective cartilage in the joint has worn down to the point of not providing protection anymore from the bones rubbing against each other during movement. This causes painful bone-on-bone scraping.
In order to provide relief from the resulting pain and stiffness, your orthopedic surgeon may recommend that you have a total joint replacement. This involves the removal of the damaged joint and its replacement with prosthetic parts. It is designed to work as closely to your original healthy joint as possible.
Let’s talk about some of the symptoms that may prompt you to consider a full joint replacement, and where you can go for a consultation and treatment for your joint pain.
Symptoms that May Lead to a Total Joint Replacement
Patients who are dealing with the following symptoms may consider having total joint replacement surgery:
Severe Joint Pain
You may have utilized noninvasive or minimally invasive pain-management methods such as pain-relief injections, electrical stimulation, and physical therapy to help relieve the pain and inflammation. However, if these treatments no longer work, or if they have been determined to not be helpful in your case, your doctor may recommend that you have total joint replacement surgery.
This can be the solution if you can no longer exercise or move around normally without suffering pain. The most common joints to be replaced are the hip, knee, and shoulder, and almost all patients report outstanding success.
Joint Deformity
Advanced arthritis can also cause deformity of the joint. When cartilage breaks down and the bones rub against each other, the ends of the bones in the joint can become misshapen. However, this makes the joint behave less and less natural, and obvious bone lumps can develop.
Disability
If advanced hip or knee arthritis is left untreated, you may need assistive devices to do even the simplest things such as getting out of bed and using the bathroom. Similarly, shoulder arthritis can cause disabling pain that interferes with your ability to drive or even use the shower. Having a total joint replacement of the knee, hip or shoulder can give you your independence back.
Total Joint Replacement Surgeon in Watertown, NY
Our trusted orthopedic surgeons at North Country Orthopaedic Group regularly perform total joint replacement surgeries here in Watertown. However, just because we’re surgeons doesn’t mean we only perform surgery – we will first evaluate your condition, determine the least-invasive treatment possible that should work for your condition, and prescribe or administer the treatment.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation, contact our friendly staff today by calling us at (315) 782-1650 or by filling out our online form now to request an appointment. We look forward to helping you get back to fully enjoying life again!
