If you have chronic orthopedic pain in your knees and hips, simply walking
around your home can seem nearly impossible. If over-the-counter medications,
physical therapy, and other treatments aren’t helping with your pain, a total knee
or hip replacement may be the next best move.
But how do you know if you’re a candidate? You may be if:
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Your pain is affecting your daily life. Does your knee or hip pain limit your mobility and prevent you from doing
activities you once loved, or even every-day tasks that you once used
to be able to do with ease? When severe orthopedic pain starts affecting
your daily life, it may be time to consider a total knee or hip replacement.
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You have bone damage. If osteoarthritis goes untreated, it can begin to take a toll on your overall
bone health.
X-rays and other imaging tests can take a look at the surrounding bone to see
if a knee or hip replacement may help improve your bone health. (It’s
important to note that if your bone is too damaged and can’t support
a replacement, you will not be a candidate for one.)
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Your joints are in pain while moving. A knee or hip replacement can help reduce the pain you feel while moving.
However, if you only experience the pain while you’re resting, a
joint replacement will not be an effective solution.
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You do not suffer from infection. If you have a clean bill of health, your doctor may recommend you have
your knee or hip replaced. If you are suffering from an infection, it
can worsen at the site of a joint replacement—therefore you will
not be a candidate for surgery.
Surgical options besides total joint replacement
If your condition is less severe or you don’t require a total joint
replacement, your doctor may recommend a meniscus procedure or ligament
procedure to resolve your pain and restore your mobility.
If you are living your life with pain caused by knee or hip joint issues,
the experts at
Power River Orthopedics and Spine (PROS) in Gillette, Wyoming are here to help. At PROS, we recognize that
each patient is unique and create a customized treatment plan to get you
back on your feet. If surgery is necessary, our physicians will explain
the surgical process and answer any questions the patient may have. To
enjoy an active and healthy life at any age, call the PROS at 307.686.1413 or visit
www.cchwyo.org/PROS to learn more.
PROS is a Campbell County Medical Group Clinic with Campbell County Health.