3 Surefire Signs You Need Joint Replacement Surgery
From walking and running to sitting and standing, your joints experience a great deal of stress over time. This stress increases with age and excessive wear and tear from work, hobbies, and accidents, often leading to severe inflammation and deterioration of the joints and connecting ligaments, which is known as arthritis. Living with arthritis is possible, but a joint replacement can help. This guide will help you determine if and when a joint replacement surgery is the right option for you.
Chronic Pain
As stress inflames and wears down your joints and ligaments, you may experience a bit of pain and discomfort. Unfortunately, as you move and then rest, the pain and discomfort can worsen, preventing you from living a normal and comfortable lifestyle.
There are many medications, both available over the counter and by prescription, that can decrease the pain. However, these medications are only effective temporarily. In addition, many of the pain medications have dangerous and harmful side effects. Therefore, finding a safer, non-toxic solution for decreasing your pain is important.
If you are experiencing chronic pain because of your worn joints, replacement surgery is most likely the right option for you.
Increasing Immobility
Many people take walking, running, and completing normal everyday tasks for granted. Unfortunately, you may not realize how important your joints are until they have worn to the point where you cannot move properly to complete these simple everyday tasks.
Joint replacement, whether it is conducted on the hips or knees, for instance, can restore your joints and connecting ligaments to a healthy, functional state. Not only can the surgery reduce your pain to improve mobility, but your joints and connecting ligaments will be able to move and function without stiffness, ensuring your everyday tasks are completed with ease.
Depression/Anxiety
Living with chronic pain and losing your ability to move properly can lead to depression and anxiety. If your joint problems are causing you to feel intense sadness or severe anxiety or you are isolating yourself or having suicidal thoughts, talk with your doctors immediately.
An estimated 30 to 50 percent of people living with chronic pain also suffer from depression or anxiety, so you should know that you are not alone. With emotional counseling and joint replacement surgery, you can restore your joint to a functional state, ease pain, and deal with your depression or anxiety in a healthy, effective manner.
Your joint health is imperative for your physical and emotional health and wellness. This guide will help you determine if joint replacement surgery is essential. Reach out to an orthopedic clinic such as El Camino Center for Sports Medicine.