When do you know you are "ready" to have hip or knee
joint replacement surgery?
    The decision and timing for joint replacement surgery is not an easy one and can
vary tremendously between individuals.  Although, this is a very personal choice and
depends on one’s individual circumstances, there is a common scenario that people
share when they are ready for joint replacement surgery.  The diagnosis causing the
joint pain is a type of arthritis (frequently osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis) that
is in the moderate to advanced stage.  Despite conservative treatment (activity
modification including use of a cane, crutches, or walker; pain medications, exercise,
“cortisone” or viscosupplementation injections, and occasionally arthroscopic
surgery) there is still moderate to severe pain which is nearly continuous and even
occurring at rest and bedtime.  Consequently, this significantly affects one’s mobility
and impacts daily activities on a regular basis.

      Although choosing to have joint replacement surgery is an individual decision,
only an orthopedic surgeon can assess if someone is a good candidate for that
particular surgery.
Juan C. Frisancho, M.D.
Orthopedic Surgery
Joint Replacement