When Do You Need Joint Replacement?

Joint replacement is usually a decision made by you and your doctor. Overtime, therapy, steroid injections to reduce inflammation (swelling) and pain medications may no longer be effective in maintaining adequate range of motion, mobility or pain. At this time, a physician may recommend joint replacement (an invasive surgical procedure to replace the joint with a prosthesis or artificial joint.)

This surgical procedure will be performed in a hospital setting, using sterile techniques (as germ free as possible environment) and under local anesthesia (pain medication administered to the area where the joint will be replaced to block any feeling from the nerves) or general anesthesia (placing the patient under sedation or commonly known as putting the patient to sleep).