5 Signs You Need a Total Joint Replacement

There’s little doubt that contemporary total joint replacement technology is a game-changer in extending the active years of our maturing population. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 20% of the American adult population suffers from arthritis, a leading reason for joint replacement surgery. 

The joint replacement specialists at 360 Orthopedics in Sarasota, Venice, and Lakewood Ranch, Florida, know the many benefits of joint replacements. We also know that the decision to undergo major surgery is never easy, even when it can relieve pain and restore mobility. 

The right decision requires each patient to balance unique factors. To that end, we’ve prepared a list of five signs that you may be ready for total joint replacement. 

5 signs you need a total joint replacement

These five signs apply to any joint condition that can be remedied by replacing it with prosthetic replicas. Hips, knees, and shoulders are the most common joints to be replaced, but other joints, including ankles, elbows, and wrists, can also be replaced. 

Today, we’re primarily considering medical and physical reasons for joint replacement. However, factors beyond these five signs include your budget, time away from work for recovery, and other personal situations. 

1. Pain impacts on your daily life

When joint problems create pain, it can be a bigger problem than just those related to the joint. Pain may keep you up at night. It can interfere with concentration and focus. Your mood and mental state may suffer, too. 

2. Loss of mobility prevents you from being active

Your ability to complete daily tasks at home or work may begin to fail. Joints may become unstable, and you can no longer rely on movements you’ve taken for granted previously. A sedentary lifestyle could feel forced upon you by your joint limitations. 

3. Current medical treatments are no longer enough

Taking medications to control pain is a strategy that has a limited life span. Your body begins to normalize pain medications, requiring larger doses to produce the same relief at the cost of increased side effects and risks of addiction. Physical therapy may no longer be possible due to the deterioration of joint tissue. 

4. Joint damage becomes too severe

When joints lose too much cartilage, bone-on-bone contact causes severe pain. Diagnostic images of affected joints show irreversible damage, and virtually all joint functions begin to fail. 

5. You’re at a good age for revision surgery

As effective as modern joint prostheses are, they still have limited life spans. This means that revision surgery to replace a joint replacement may be possible. 

There are generally two strategies for managing this issue. One option is to delay surgery if the replacement is likely to outlive you. 

If you suffer from joint deterioration early in life, you may wish to schedule your replacement so that you’re still at a relatively young age when the window for revision surgery opens. 

Contact 360 Orthopedics at the nearest of our three locations to discuss your case with our team of orthopedic specialists. Call the closest office to schedule your joint replacement consultation today.