Summary
Hopefully this website has answered some of your questions about joint replacement surgery and provided you with a better understanding of what to expect during the surgical experience. Your orthopaedic specialist will be happy to answer any additional questions so that you’ll feel comfortable and confident with your upcoming surgery. As individuals vary, please discuss your specific instructions with your orthopaedic specialist.
Life After Total Joint Replacement
The vast majority of individuals who have joint replacement surgery experience a dramatic reduction in joint pain and a significant improvement in their ability to participate in the activities of daily living. Your physician will recommend the most appropriate level of activity following joint replacement surgery.
It is important to understand that there are risks associated with any major surgical procedure and total joint replacement is no exception. Although the occurrence of complications is low in number, each patient needs to be informed of these possible risks prior to surgery. In all cases, discussion between the patient and the treating physician is imperative so that the patient is aware of potential complications and how to minimize them.
This information has been provided with permission by the authors:
David Hungerford, MD
Lynne Jones, PhD
Pat Pietryak, RN
Johns Hopkins University and Health System Baltimore, MD