3 Questions to Ask Your Doctor When Considering Joint Replacement Surgery
At Orthopedic & Laser Spine Surgery, we believe in putting our patients first and accessing their treatment based on what will work best for their lifestyle and overall health. When it comes to joint replacement surgery, it is a serious decision and you will work with your doctor to decide if it is right for you. Your doctor becomes your teammate, and the only way to win is to communicate. With that, we want you to feel empowered to have questions and make sure you are in charge of your health regimen.
When considering joint replacement surgery, it is important to be completely educated on what the treatment entails. Your doctor will help you understand the mechanics of it, but it is up to you to understand how it will affect you.
Patients who need joint replacement surgery suffer from chronic pain brought on by arthritis. Arthritis wears down bone and cartilage, which is what makes moving specific joints painful and difficult. It creates friction and while it can be tolerable over a certain period of time, the wear and tear will catch up to you. That is when joint replacement surgery may be suggested to you by your doctor. Before you go in for this surgery, be sure to ask these few questions to help ensure you have made the right choice.
1. How Will Joint Replacement Surgery Improve My Mobility?
This is an important question to ask because the end goal is for you to be pain-free and able to move freely. You want to make sure your doctor explains exactly how you will end up pain-free and what your mobility will be like after the surgery. As an example, if your goal is to walk without a cane and your doctor says you might still need one, you may need to have a deeper conversation about what options there are.
2. How Long Is Recovery Time for Joint Replacement?
It’s important to know that recovery is a part of the surgical process. You have to heal correctly in order to reap the benefits of your procedure. With that being said, you may not feel relief right away and it is important to talk with your doctor about when relief will come. It will also be important to understand what resources you will need to recover properly so you can prepare yourself.
3. What Are the Risks of Joint Replacement Surgery?
For any surgery, it is important to understand what risks you are taking in order to be pain-free. Be sure that your doctor explains the risks that come with the surgery itself, as well as the risks for forgoing surgery. Weighing those pros and cons will be key in your decision-making.
Talk with a Doctor at OLSS about Joint Replacement Surgery
The most important part of our work at OLSS is making sure our patients are comfortable in our care. We encourage you to ask questions and be an advocate for your own healthcare. Our board-certified and accredited doctors are here to help you and will answer any questions you have. For more information on joint replacement surgery at OLSS, give us a call at (855) 853-6542 or reach out online to find out more