If you’re suffering from pain and loss of function in your hips or knees, New Orleans orthopedic surgeon Dr. Richard Meyer has the resources you need to learn more about symptoms, non-surgical treatments, surgery options, total joint replacement (TJR), and recovery.
With people living longer than ever, arthritis of the hip and knee has become more common. By the year 2030, there may be a need for 500,000 hip replacements and 3,000,000 knee replacements each year.
The good news is that hip and knee replacements are very successful surgeries. It takes time to heal post surgery, but many people return to an active, pain-free life. And less pain usually leads to better walking ability and improvement in your overall health.
Your New Orleans orthopedic surgeon finds that the right time for joint replacement surgery is a common concern among his patients. Many factors are important to consider including general health, time away from work, family commitments, and the time it will take you to heal following surgery.
Many patients make the decision to proceed when their knee or hip pain prevents them from living comfortably. In many cases, arthritis pain will prevent patients from doing very simple everyday things.
People who suffer from hip and knee arthritis have disability as the result of two things – pain and mechanical symptoms such as locking of the joint. Your New Orleans orthopedic surgeon reports that many patients deal with pain, swelling, and stiffness for years before considering surgery. Yet other patients visit him when mechanical symptoms such as buckling, clicking, grinding, or limping suddenly worsen.
As hip and knee arthritis worsens, the stiffness of the arthritic joints also gets worse, which can make the joint replacement surgery more difficult. That may result in a longer recovery and more physical therapy. In severe cases, joint flexibility unfortunately may never return to normal. By waiting too long, you may not reap the full benefits of your hip and knee replacement surgery.
Patients of Dr. Meyer typically remain in the hospital for one to three days depending on the rehabilitation protocol and how quickly they advance with physical therapy. This is largely dependent upon the patient’s condition prior to surgery, their age, and the presence of any medical conditions that might hinder their rehabilitation.
If you would like more information regarding joint replacement surgery – or see if you are a candidate for the procedure – call the office of New Orleans orthopedic surgeon Dr. Richard Meyer today to schedule a consultation. You don’t have to live in pain!