When Is Orthopedic Surgery Needed to Treat Arthritis?
In the United States, more than 54 million people suffer from arthritis.
Many turn to therapy and medications to help deal with the pain. These options are great for managing the pain, but arthritis can affect you in other ways.
When it gets tough to manage, an orthopedic surgery can be a great option for many.
But when is it needed to treat your arthritis? Keep reading to find out.
What Is Orthopedic Surgery?
Orthopedic surgery deals with the joints, ligaments, and muscles within the human body. When they’ve been injured, damaged, or worn down, orthopedic surgery can correct them. It is often used to treat arthritis.
Sometimes, orthopedists recommend non-surgical options to treat your pain. Other times, they suggest surgical options if the arthritis is more severe.
The surgery can be conducted on many joints in your body. One of the most common places for orthopedic surgery is the knee. It can also be done on the jaw, shoulder, and you can even get orthopedic hand surgery.
This surgery can be a great way to treat your arthritis.
Types of Orthopedic Surgery
There are many different types of orthopedic surgeries. Each one has its benefits and targets different areas of the musculoskeletal system.
Arthritis often targets the joints in the body. As it gets worse, it will target other areas such as the bones as well.
To treat arthritis, there are a few different orthopedic surgeries that you can get.
The first is an arthroscopy. This surgery involves looking into the problem joint using an arthroscope. It’s less invasive, and it’s also low risk. Rather than opening up the full area to view the joint, only a few tiny incisions are involved.
Another type is the osteotomy. Its purpose is to straighten the bones or joints. This is a bigger surgery than an arthroscopy, but it can help when you’re dealing with the pain of arthritis.
The last type is a total joint replacement. This type of surgery is much more invasive than the others, but it can pay off. During the surgery, the damaged joint is fully removed and replaced with a prosthesis.
This prosthesis becomes your new, fully functional joint.
If you’re not sure which orthopedic surgery you need, that’s OK! It’s best to talk it over with your surgeon, who will give you their expertise and present you with some options.
What Are the Benefits of Orthopedic Surgery for Arthritis?
If left untreated, arthritis can leave you with a range of symptoms.
For some, arthritis can cause constant pain that is hard to get relief from. Sometimes this is caused by injuries that become affected by it later. Other arthritis cases can cause pain that comes and goes. Surgery can be beneficial in this case to manage the pain.
If you have a limited range of motion that’s caused by arthritis, you can often gain back some of that motion after surgery.
Therapy is often a choice that many people make to manage their arthritis pain. It’s a great way to temporarily manage your pain or increase your range of motion. However, it may not be as effective or helpful as surgery can be in the long run.
If a long-term solution is what you’re looking for, then orthopedic surgery is the way to go.
When Do I Need Orthopedic Surgery For My Arthritis?
There are a few things that can indicate that you’re ready for surgery. Remember, you should feel confident going into it.
Pain
Have you been experiencing excruciating or constant pain in your joints? This can be a big sign that it’s time for surgery.
As mentioned earlier, arthritis can cause all types of pain. Some can be mild, while other types can be unbearable. If you’re finding it difficult to manage the pain, surgery might be a great option for you.
Daily Difficulties
If your quality of life is being affected, then surgery might be your best option.
You should be able to carry on with your normal day-to-day activities. If you can’t, or find that you’re having trouble to do this, it might be a good time to consult your doctor.
Non-Surgical Options Aren’t Working.
It’s great to weigh out your non-surgical options first. This way, you can get relief without the need for surgery.
However, if non-surgical solutions such as medications or therapy aren’t working for you, it may be time to think about surgery.
Even after surgery, you may not stop physical therapy or medications. This is because they’re there to help you heal properly.
Your Arthritis Is Getting Worse
As with any medical condition, you want it to get better, not worse.
If your arthritis is getting worse, then you should talk to your doctor. This is a good time to find out your surgical options before your condition worsens even more.
The faster you can deal with joint pain, the better you’ll be able to have it treated.
Why Should I Get Orthopedic Surgery?
You deserve a high quality of life. If you’re dealing with arthritis pain, this can make things more difficult for you.
Orthopedic surgery will help you relieve the pain of arthritis and give you a better range of motion. It won’t hold you back from your life any longer when it’s treated with surgery.
If you want to live your life without arthritis pain, surgery is a great option to consider.
Do You Need Orthopedic Surgery?
You’ve learned about orthopedic surgery and when to get it. If you’re dealing with arthritis, it’s important to assess how you’re feeling to see if you think surgery is a good option for you.
At Complete Injury Management, we have expert orthopedists who can talk you through your treatment options. They’ll be able to help you determine if surgery is the right option. Our orthopedists specialize in helping patients who have been injured.
Are you looking into your orthopedic surgery options in Las Vegas? Give us a call today to schedule an appointment with one of our licensed orthopedists!
