A recent article on health.com, called 13 Must-Know Facts About Joint Replacements by Amanda Gardner, describes how improvements in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatments over the past 20 years has resulted in a drop in joint replacement surgery for middle-aged patients. Gardner writes that "a California study of people with RA - all in their 40s or 50s - found that knee replacements have dropped by 19% and hip replacements by 40% since the 1980s." Her conclusion? "When severe pain or joint damage limits your daily activities, a joint replacement may still be your best option. Here's what you can expect from joint replacement surgery…"
Gardner then paints an honest picture of realistic expectations, relaying statistics from medical authorities like the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and a variety of patient experiences. Here is a synopsis of her key points and how they relate to the patient experience at Proliance Orthopedic Associates:
Pain made me do it.
Most joint replacement patients have reached the end of their rope with physical discomfort. They choose replacement surgery because they no longer want to tolerate day-to-day pain. POA's experienced orthopedic doctors in Renton, Covington, and Maple Valley use both surgical and non-surgical techniques to return patients as completely as possible to normal activity.
The road to recovery.
The latest advancements in orthopedic surgery have made the recovery process as easy as it has ever been. Of course, setbacks or unforeseen circumstances are always possible, but most surgery patients can be back on their feet within days thanks to less invasive procedures, state-of-the-art hardware, and advanced pain management techniques. As patients continue through recovery, physical therapy and weight loss programs are available to expedite a new lease on life and activity.
Experience matters.
At Proliance Orthopedic Associates, our physicians offer decades of specialized experience. We are involved in the design and development of some of the most commonly used joint replacement components available and we are committed to using the best medical techniques and technologies within our state-of-the-art facilities.
Click here to watch a video about joint replacement preparation and the recovery period.
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Call (425) 656-5060 to make an appointment with a POA physician today.