Are you in extreme pain? Does it feel like nothing – including lifestyle changes and medication – is helping? If you’ve exhausted all other options and the pain you’re in is intolerable, you may be considering getting a joint replacement.
What is joint replacement therapy?
Joint replacement surgery is where the damaged parts of your joint are replaced by prosthetic joints which are typically made out of metal, plastic and/or ceramic materials, such as titanium, stainless steel and aluminium. Many joints are eligible for a replacement including hips, knees, elbows, shoulders, ankles and fingers. Joint replacement surgery may be necessary if the cartilage (the tough, flexible tissue which lies in between where the joint and the bone connect) is so worn down that the bone and the joint are rubbing together, damaging each other and causing pain which consistently feels like a 6 or higher on a scale of 1-10. Depending on the severity of the damage, you may be offered a total joint replacement or a partial joint replacement, in which you keep some of your joint while the most damaged parts are replaced. With proper maintenance a replacement joint can last roughly 15-20 years. So how do you know that you need a joint replacement?
1. You have pain that persists no matter what
There are many ways to help manage the pain of arthritis. Methods include over the counter and prescription pain relief medications, as well as drug-free methods like relaxation, exercise, massage, acupuncture and maintaining a healthy diet and weight. FlexiSEQ Max Strength For Osteoarthritis, for example, is a drug-free gel that is clinically proven to relieve the pain associated with osteoarthritis by creating a protective layer on damaged cartilage. Joint replacement surgery may become necessary if none of the above methods seem to make a noticeable difference and the pain continues to get worse.
2. Your daily life is severely impacted
When you’re living with a chronic pain condition like arthritis your symptoms often fluctuate. The pain may be minimal some days when you find it easier to socialise, do chores, exercise and go about your daily life, while other days may bring more pain and limitations. Are you noticing that the difficult days are frequently outnumbering the less painful ones and the pain is consistently making it harder to get around the house, get in and out of the car and go about your daily life? Are you having to cancel activities and back out of seeing friends because of the pain? If your quality of life is being consistently diminished by the pain, then you may want to talk to your doctor about joint replacement surgery.
3. The pain is getting worse over time
As the cartilage wears down, your bones may begin rubbing against each other, which can cause significant stiffness, swelling and pain. A sign that the cartilage has worn down to that point is if your pain consistently continues even during periods of rest. Maybe you’re struggling to sleep because of the pain and medication doesn’t seem to be helping. You may also notice that your movements are stiffer and there’s less available motion around the joint. Cartilage doesn’t grow back, unfortunately, so joint replacement surgery may be necessary if the cartilage is significantly worn down or non-existent.
4. The pain is impacting your mental health
Living with a chronic pain condition like osteoarthritis understandably impacts your mental health. It’s difficult to be in pain. It’s distracting, it’s unpleasant and it hurts. Being in pain can also make it harder to sleep, leading to fatigue and brain fog. Having an invisible pain condition can also feel isolating and frustrating because other people can’t see it and may not get it if it’s not something they’re experiencing. Pain can also lead to anxiety and concern about the future, particularly if the pain feels like it’s getting worse and nothing is helping. If you feel like the experience of the pain is taking over your mental health then you may want to consider joint replacement surgery.
5. You’ve exhausted other options
Different things work for different people when it comes to osteoarthritis. Some people swear by acupuncture while others see great results from hydrotherapy, and still others find that hot and/or cold therapy (from using ice packs and heat packs to saunas and cold plunges) brings them relief from the pain. There are many options to try and it’s important to speak to your doctor and have a look around for things that might help ease your pain. Weight loss, low impact exercise, steroid injections, pain relief creams and the use of aids can all be helpful for managing your pain. If, however, you feel like you have exhausted all other avenues and nothing seems to help with the pain, then joint replacement surgery may be the answer.
6. Your doctor has recommended joint replacement surgery
Your doctor may recommend joint replacement surgery if you have severe pain, swelling and stiffness in the joint that is limiting your mobility and the pain is so severe it disrupts your sleep. Other factors include if you’re struggling to do everyday tasks like shopping or walking and if the pain is having a detrimental effect on your mental health and social life. Your doctor can then refer you to a specialist to carry out the operation. Before the procedure the hospital will need to check a few things to make sure it’s the right choice for you. This will include checking your medical history, carrying out a physical exam to ascertain the risk of surgery, blood tests, heart health checks and X-rays. You may also be referred to a physiotherapist.
7. The rehab process feels worth it
Joint replacement surgery can be hugely beneficial but it does come with some potential risks. The surgery takes around 1-3 hours and is performed under general anaesthetic. General anaesthetic is generally very safe, but it can cause some temporary nausea and confusion and also comes with a very slight risk of serious complications. Death is very rare under general anaesthetic (roughly one in 100,000 people) but the risk does increase with age and certain health conditions. Your doctor can talk about your specific risks and help you come to an informed decision. There is also a risk of other complications, although these tend to be minor and treatable. Possible complications of joint replacement surgery include infection, nerve damage, blood clots, scar tissue, numbness, issues with the new joint and allergic reaction.
It takes a while to recover from joint replacement surgery. You are likely to experience some initial discomfort around the area. You will likely stay in hospital for 3-5 days and then when you get home you will probably be very tired. You should be able to resume your regular activities within 6 weeks, but you may have some swelling and pain around the joint for a few months afterwards. You should be able to return to work within 6-12 weeks, which is something to consider and discuss with your employer. It’s also important to follow any instructions given to you by your healthcare provider on how to recover including exercises to help your body become adjusted to the new joint.
If the rehab process feels preferable to your current circumstances then you may want to consider joint replacement surgery.
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