There have been many successful joint replacement stories in recent years.
Surgery may be performed to:
- Remove loose pieces of bone and cartilage from the joint if they are causing mechanical symptoms of buckling or locking
- Resurface (smooth out) bones
- Reposition bones
- Replace joints
Surgical techniques are effective in many cases, but before one begins thinking about replacement of aching joints or a mechanical repair of them, arthritis experts recommend exhausting all other therapies first. In most cases, surgery is advised only if other techniques, such as drugs, rest, painkillers etc have failed to produce good results.
Joint surgery for arthritis requires expertise and should be performed in specialized facilities that also can offer other forms of treatment, such as rehabilitation therapy. |
