Total Joint Replacement (TJR) Surgery

Joint implants have been used to treat and repair joint disease since the 1960s. About 662,000 Americans have a joint replacement each year, including 438,000 knee replacements and 224,000 hip replacements.1

Many people delay joint replacement due to fear, misinformation, or a lack of awareness about their treatment options. They unnecessarily live with the physical pain, stiffness and reduced mobility that affects many areas of their daily lives and limits activities they enjoy to accommodate the symptoms of the disease. They also endure the emotional impact of degenerative OA. Recent studies have shown that TJR may be properly considered at an earlier stage than it has been in the past due to improved surgical techniques and joint implants.

Today's improved technologies have revolutionized joint replacements allowing for natural movement of the joint after surgery. The following are examples of important advancements in TJR that benefit OA sufferers:

Today, improved technologies have revolutionized hip replacements, allowing more patients to consider treatments at an earlier stage than they had in the past. DePuy Orthopaedics’ advanced hip implants are an excellent option because they are designed to help imitate the natural motion of hips, with the goal of helping improve function and prolonging performance.
While conservative treatment is very important during the early stages of arthritis, at some point non-surgical treatments may no longer work. Total joint replacement can help relieve the pain from osteoarthritis and may be properly considered at an earlier stage than it has been in the past. Total joint replacement can help relieve OA by resurfacing the damaged ends of a bone with metal and plastic components. Today’s improved technologies have revolutionized joint replacements allowing for natural movement of the joint after surgery.

Many factors may influence the decision to undergo joint replacement. Among the things to consider are:

--- Your ability to work or enjoy hobbies—even to complete simple tasks such as tying your shoes, rising from a chair or climbing stairs--
    may be hampered.
--- Sometimes your pain may persist even when the joint is at rest, making sleeping difficult.
--- You often engage in activities that you know will force you to “pay later” when the pain sets in from overuse of the joint.
--- You have undergone non-surgical treatments such as medications and physical therapy and still are experiencing substantial pain.
--- Your pain may be so severe that you avoid using the afflicted joints. This inactivity can lead to other problems, such as exercise
    avoidance and associated weight-gain.
--- You may reach a point that your entire life seems to revolve around your pain.
--- You don’t feel like yourself—you may be irritable and feel isolated due to the pain.
--- You may be taking less medication than prescribed because of unwanted side effects, causing inadequate pain control.
--- Your personal beliefs or fears about surgery, based on personal stories you’ve heard, television programs and other information.
--- How willing you are personally to accommodate pain and reduced activity.
--- The advice of those who influence your health decisions, such as your doctor and friends and family.

As with any medical treatment, individual results may vary. Only an orthopaedic surgeon can determine whether an orthopaedic implant is an appropriate course of treatment. There are potential risks, and recovery takes time. The performance of the new joint depends on weight, activity level, age and other factors. These need to be discussed with your doctor.