Joint replacement surgery, although extremely effective at relieving pain and restoring function, is a major surgery and knowing the right time to have it can be difficult. Eric Smith, MD, FAOA, Chief of Arthroplasty at NEBH, explains that many factors can affect the appropriate time for surgery. This decision is a highly individual one, and it’s important to have shared decision-making between you and your surgeon. Shared decision making can help you evaluate all available options—weigh your personal values, goals and priorities against unbiased medical evidence—in order to make an informed decision.
A few questions you can ask yourself are:
If you are considering a joint replacement, talk to your surgeon about the best treatment option for you.
