It used to be that doctors would say you should wait for as long as possible to have joint replacement surgery. But now, in order to improve their patients' quality of life and reduce pain, some doctors are recommending joint replacement surgery at a younger age. Surgery is done on everything from fingers and wrists to knees, ankles, hips, shoulders and elbows.
The factors that influence a doctor's decision to recommend joint replacement surgery are the degree of pain you're experiencing, if the pain is restricting your daily movement, and if the pain is keeping you from going out and enjoying your life. If you've already tried a series of medications for the pain but have not found relief, surgery might be your next option.
However, surgery isn't right for everyone. Doctors consider your overall health, weight, age, bone density, nutrition and degree of joint stiffness. With any surgery there are risks, and joint replacement surgery carries with it the possibility of blood clots and other complications. The benefits are improved movement, pain reduction, and possible cosmetic improvements as a result of joints being realigned.
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