BENEFITS AND RISKS OF JOINT -HIP, KNEE, REPLACEMENTS

Benefits

"There are two main reasons to have a joint replacement," says  a professor of orthopaedic surgery. "The best reason is pain relief."

During a hip or knee replacement, a surgeon removes the painful, damaged surfaces of the joint and replaces them with plastic or metal implants. This gets rid of the pain, because the diseased cartilage and bone are no longer there.

The second reason is to improve joint function, but the results are less predictable. After a joint replacement, many people can walk more easily. Some may be able to ride a bike or play golf. But there are no guarantees.

Risks

Joint replacements carry the same risks as other major surgeries. This includes the risk of dangerous infections or blood clots. People with heart conditions, poorly controlled diabetes, or weak immune systems are the most vulnerable. Surgeons use antibiotics and blood thinners to try to prevent some complications.

The other major risk is that the new joint may not work as well as hoped. Weakness and stiffness are common problems, particularly in the knee. "Patients who don't actively rehabilitate will not regain the maximum range of motion," . For best results, knee surgery patients should stick to their rehab schedule of exercise, rest, and medicines.

Less common problems include an implant that becomes loose or dislocates. And it's important to know the implant could wear out after about 20 years. That means you may need another joint replacement down the road.

Is Joint Replacement for You?

Joint replacement may be the right choice if you're in a lot of pain and other treatments haven't helped enough. But you want to be sure the joint is the true source of pain , says an orthopaedic surgeon. "The source could be something other than the joint itself, even if arthritis is visible on an MRI."

If you actually have nerve or muscle pain, a joint replacement won't help. Your doctor can tell the difference by doing a careful physical exam and by asking you questions about your pain. "Be cautious if a doctor tells you you need a hip or knee replacement without doing a physical exam,"  adds a Dr.

Realistic Expectations

A joint replacement can cure pain, but it can't restore the hip or knee you had when you were younger. People shouldn't expect to move the joint the way they did 20 or 30 years ago.

As for a patient, he went forward with his knee replacement. After four months of intense rehabilitation, the pain was gone. He's back to speed-walking and climbs 100 steps every day to keep his knee strong. On a recent vacation to Italy and Croatia, he wore a pedometer. "There were times when I comfortably walked 7 miles in a day," he says. "It feels like my knee now."

Consider a joint replacement "if pain is interfering with how you want to live your life."

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