Advanced Bone & Joint

Factors to Consider When Getting Joint Replacement Surgery

No matter how twinge in your shoulder or ache in your knee or hip occurs, once your joint pain becomes consistent and gets in the way of activities you love to do, you want to consider joint replacement surgery (arthroplasty) as a treatment choice.

Many potential causes result in joint pain and make you decide on getting joint replacement surgery or arthroplasty. Some of these are:

  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Infections
  • Joint injuries
  • Joint damage from disease

Most joint replacement surgeries are performed on your shoulder, hip, and knee joint, while surgeries on the elbow, ankle, and finger are done less often. These surgeries can be partial joint replacement surgeries or total joint replacement surgeries.

Let’s talk about some of the many factors you must consider before getting arthroplasty and where you can go in St. Peters, O’Fallon, and Wentzville, MO, for outstanding orthopedic care.

#1 Your Eligibility for Joint Replacement

Not everyone can be a candidate for arthroplasty. Your surgeon will consider many factors before deciding whether you are eligible for joint replacement. An eligible candidate for joint replacement is the one who:

  • Have severe joint pain that hasn’t responded to nonsurgical treatments, such as medications, bracing, injections, physical therapy, etc.
  • Have joint stiffness that has limited their mobility
  • Have joint swelling that hasn’t gotten better with anti-inflammatories and lifestyle changes.
  • Don’t have any existing infection
  • Don’t have severe osteoporosis
  • Don’t smoke or consume nicotine

#2 Risks and Complications Associated with Joint Replacement Surgeries

As with other major surgeries, joint replacement surgeries also have some risk for infections and blood clots. Usually, those with serious illnesses, like heart problems and diabetes, and those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, are more prone to these complications. Your surgeon takes several steps, such as prescribing blood thinners and antibiotics, to minimize or prevent these complications.

Even though rare, nerve injury may also occur if nerves surrounding your replaced joint are damaged during the procedure.

Additionally, the chances are that your new joint may not work well and become loose or dislocated. You may also feel weak and stiff, which you can prevent by actively participating in pre-and post-op rehabilitation.

#3 Recovery Times Following Joint Replacement Surgery

Recovery time following a joint replacement procedure is different for everyone. However, full recovery can take anywhere from several weeks to months and depends on numerous factors, including your:

  • Age
  • Activity level
  • Lifestyle
  • Other health or orthopedic problems
  • Type of procedure (whether partial or total joint was replaced)

Physical therapy following arthroplasty can speed up recovery as it strengthens the muscles around the joint, thus helping them better support the new joint.

#4 Pain Management Options

Following joint replacement and during your recovery period, you’ll feel pain. Therefore, pain management options must be considered before the procedure is done. Your surgeon will suggest several pain management options depending on your threshold for pain. Usually, prescription and over-the-counter medications are prescribed. For a person with a high threshold for pain, an OTC pain reliever can work; for those with a low threshold, pain killers with higher potency are needed.

Joint Replacement in St. Peters, O’Fallon, and Wentzville, MO

If you think the only solution to your joint pain and limited mobility is joint replacement, don’t hesitate to visit our experienced orthopedic surgeons at Advanced Bone and Joint. Our 11-board-certified orthopedic surgeons will consider various parameters to determine your eligibility for joint replacement. Then, they will perform the joint replacement procedure with unmatchable outcomes.

To learn more about the procedure our providers can perform, consult with our doctors by dialing (636) 229-4222. If you desire, you can schedule your appointment through our website.