Are You Avoiding Joint Replacement Surgery?

Usually considered the last resort orthopedic treatment, joint replacements are an option many consider in order to relieve arthritis pain and to restore the function of an affected joint. Orthopedic surgeons will often provide more conservative treatment options prior to recommending a total or partial joint replacement.

Typically, joint replacements involve the hip or knees. Lemak Health is home to not one but two nationally renowned orthopedic surgeons. Dr. Lawrence Lemak and Dr. Scott Appell specialize in total joint replacement surgeries while providing the most minimally invasive and advanced surgical procedures. Dr. Appell is a nationally sought-after orthopedic surgeon that uses the Anterior Approach to perform Total Hip Arthroplasties.

Joint Replacements

Joint replacement surgeries are recommended when pain is no longer manageable and joint damage significantly affects your quality of life. If you can answer “Yes” to most or all of the following questions, it may be time to stop avoiding a joint replacement procedure and start seeking an orthopedic surgeon. You may be a candidate for a joint replacement surgery.

  • Has my quality of life suffered or halted due to arthritis pain and joint damage?
  • Do I have difficulty engaging in daily activities such as walking, climbing stairs, cooking, cleaning, or standing or sitting?
  • Do I have unrelenting pain in a particular joint?
  • Has medications and other conservative treatment measures made an impact on my pain relief?

Are You Avoiding the Downtime?

Most people avoid undergoing an invasive surgical procedure because of the downtime it requires for recuperating. With less invasive procedures available, the recovery time after a joint replacement may be less than you would expect. Most patients begin physical therapy the day after surgery, but this may vary depending on multiple factors that influence the speed of recovery such as,

  • The type of procedure performed
  • General health and activity level before surgery
  • The severity of injury prior to surgery
  • Complications developed post-op
  • And most importantly, the physical and emotional state of the patient.

Your attitude and commitment to rehabilitation play a pivotal role in the progress of your physical therapy. Patients must trust and adhere to the exercise regimen and follow the instructions of their orthopedic surgeon. As a result, they should expect to become stronger and more mobile over two to three months.

Patients who have had a joint replacement return to normal daily activities and function well. In fact, more than 90% of joint replacement patients have a successful outcome.