When conservative (nonsurgical) treatments fail to remedy your joint pain and chronic discomfort, it’s most likely time for you to consider joint replacement surgery options. Thankfully, these are safe and effective procedures that can relieve your joint pain and improve your mobility. However, not all joint replacement surgeries are equal. To get the greatest benefit…
Joint Replacement
Types of Joint Replacement Surgeries
A joint replacement is performed to replace all or part of a damaged joint, such as that typically diagnosed in advanced-stage osteoarthritis. The joint will be repaired using prosthetic materials. A total joint replacement surgery will be recommended if no part of the joint can be salvaged; a partial replacement can be performed if some…
Do I Need to Go to a Rheumatologist or an Orthopedist?
With so much overlap between medical disciplines and specializations, it is often difficult for an individual to discern which type of doctor to see for their problem. This is especially true for orthopedics and rheumatology, as both of these types of physicians treat joint pain. Orthopedists are surgeons who address bone and joint diseases and…
Is Age a Consideration for Joint Replacement?
Is there a “right” stage of life for joint surgery? What age is too old, or too young, to undergo a joint replacement? This question has no definitive answers. Traditional medical opinions are changing, especially as more people are beginning to suffer from osteoarthritis and other degenerative joint diseases at earlier ages due to sedentary…