Is it just joint pain?

Chronic joint pain starts just like any other ailment. You may start to notice stiffness or discomfort one day that doesn’t seem to go away. The question you might as yourself is: is it just joint pain? But what does that really mean? There is not one specific disease that necessitates joint replacement. Certain types of arthritis are a common culprit but many times joint replacement is a result of just wear and tear. Many times, the hardest part about joint replacement is simply coming to terms with it. People don’t want to believe that they aren’t youthful anymore. When other treatments aren’t working and you’ve decided not to live with daily joint pain and mobility limitations, joint replacement might be the best option.

Determining if you need total or partial joint replacement isn’t the same for everyone. Many people live with chronic joint pain for years before they ever decide to do something about it. Some people never do anything about it and it plagues them for the rest of their lives. The real question is: are you going to accept not being able to do the things that you used to do; that you want to do? If you choose not to accept that life, the road to recovery won’t be easy but it will be worth it. Here are a few factors to help you determine if it is time to see an orthopedic surgeon about your joint pain:

• Climbing stairs is practically impossible
• Your joints are constantly stiff and/or swollen
• Humidity causes you excessive joint pain
• Your joint pain keeps you awake at night
• Getting out of chairs or the bathtub is difficult
• You have joint stiffness for an extended period of time after waking up

Joint replacement surgery shouldn’t be the first option when joint pain occurs. It might, however, be the best option down the road. If other treatments for your joint pain aren’t effective, consult the Midwest Center for Joint Replacement. We’ll treat you with dignity and respect as we help you down the road to recovery.

If you have any questions about this information or would like to schedule an appointment, please call 317.455.1064