What to know about hip and knee replacement surgery 

What to know about hip and knee replacement surgery

Author: Dr. Leonard Buller, orthopedic surgeon at IU Health Saxony Hospital – soon to be IU Health Fishers

With the days becoming longer and warmer, everyone wants to get outside. If you have painful knees or hips, it can be hard to go for a walk or play with your kids or grandkids. Here is some information about hip and knee pain, options for managing that pain and when it might be time to consider surgery.

What to know about hip and knee pain

The source of joint pain typically falls into two categories: a sudden injury that strains the joint or degeneration that occurs gradually over time. The most common causes of lingering joint pain include arthritis, tendonitis and bursitis. Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease, is the most common form of arthritis. This disease affects the tissue covering the ends of bones called cartilage. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage becomes damaged and worn out, resulting in pain, swelling, stiffness and restricted movement.

Treatments options for your hip and pain

Multiple treatment options exist for the treatment of an achy joint. These range from nonsurgical possibilities, including physical therapy, activity modification, medications and injections. The surgical treatments for a painful joint include arthroscopy and joint replacement surgery. Arthroscopy is a surgery that uses a tiny camera to check for problems and repair those problems. Joint replacement is a surgery that removes the damaged surfaces of the joint and replaces them with an artificial prosthesis. Modern joint replacement surgery can be done using rapid recovery protocols and with minimally invasive techniques to restore mobility quickly.

When to consider hip or knee surgery

If you are experiencing hip or knee pain that keeps you from doing the things you enjoy, being evaluated by an orthopedic specialist who can provide excellent orthopedic services is a great next step. Surgery is not for everyone, but when indicated, total joint replacement can be life-changing and help restore natural movement. Every year, more than one million Americans, including many here in Indiana, return to their lives, pain free, due to total joint replacement surgery. If you or a loved one have noticed changes in your daily life— pain with walking, a struggle to tie shoes, trouble sitting down and getting up—a total joint replacement surgery might be right for you. Even if it is not, the Orthopedic team at IU Health can help evaluate the issue and work to getting you back to the things you love to do.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit iuhealth.org/joints or call 317.944.9400.