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When to Have Joint Replacement
When to have a hip replacement or knee replacement is difficult to know. You may have had doctors tell you that you'll know when the time is right. but what are the signs you should look for in determining the timing of joint replacement surgery.
Am I too old for joint replacement?
Most patients undergoing joint replacement are in their 50s to 70s. However, some patients in their 80s and 90s may have arthritis that has become debilitating. Are these patients too old for joint replacement surgery?
Is it a bad idea to postpone joint replacement surgery?
Joint replacement surgery is usually the last in a series of treatments for arthritis. Most often it is fine to delay joint replacement until nonoperative treatments no longer relieve your pain.
How to Prepare for Orthopedic Surgery
Knowing what will happen on the day of an expected surgery can help you be prepared. Find out what to bring to the hospital, how to prepare, and when to show up. Call your doctor for information specific to your surgery.
Synvisc Delays Replacement
Studies into Synvisc, a treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee, have shown mixed results but may allow for delaying total knee replacement.
Will joint replacement help me lose weight?
Many patients with hip and knee arthritis are hopeful that joint replacement surgery will help them in their efforts to lose weight. The hope is that having less painful joints will allow patients to exercise more and result in decreased body weight. Unfortunately, most patients do not lose weight after joint replacement.
Should I exercise before joint replacement surgery?
A recent study has investigated the effects of initiating an exercise routine before undergoing hip-replacement or knee-replacement surgery. In patients who undergo an exercise program before joint replacement, they are stronger going in to surgery and less likely to require inpatient rehabilitation after surgery.
Did Joint Replacement Lead to Weight Loss
Many patients have joint replacement with the intent of losing weight, but how often is that successful? The research is unclear, as some studies have shown patients to lose weight, while others have not. What was your experience with weight loss after joint replacement? Is weight loss the most important goal of your surgery?
