Can You Avoid Joint Replacement Surgery?

While often necessary and highly effective, joint replacement surgery is a significant medical procedure that we do our best to help you avoid. Check recommendations from our team about how to prevent or at least delay joint replacement.
Many individuals facing joint replacement due to chronic pain and decreased mobility are understandably intrigued about the chance of avoiding surgery. But is that possible? It’s certainly worth a try. Despite our extensive surgical expertise, the Integrity Spine and Orthopedics team prefers to utilize joint replacement as a last resort. We start instead with nonsurgical therapies that support joint health and help prevent ongoing damage. Read more from our team about the various strategies we recommend that may help you avoid joint replacement surgery. Understanding joint replacement surgery Typically performed on weight-bearing joints like the knee and hip or high-use joints like the shoulders, joint replacement surgery involves removing damaged or diseased joint surfaces and replacing them with prosthetic components made of metal, plastic, or ceramic. Our team at Integrity Spine and Orthopedics typically recommends joint replacement if conservative treatments have failed to restore mobility or relieve your pain sufficiently. Exploring nonsurgical alternatives to joint replacement Conservative therapies that your Integrity Spine and Orthopedics specialist may recommend include: Lifestyle modifications Simple lifestyle changes can often make a significant difference in managing joint pain. These may include maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in low-impact exercises like swimming or cycling, and practicing good posture and body mechanics to reduce strain on the joints. You may also benefit from a joint-friendly diet that reduces inflammation (which decreases pain) while supplying the nutrients your joints require for health. Physical therapy Working with a physical therapist can help strengthen the muscles around the affected joint, improve flexibility, and enhance overall joint function. Physical therapy may also include modalities like ultrasound, electrical stimulation, or manual therapy techniques to alleviate pain and improve mobility. Medications and injections Over-the-counter or prescription medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids, can help reduce joint inflammation and relieve pain. In some cases, your specialist may recommend corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid injections into the joint to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and decrease joint stiffness. For your convenience, joint injections are provided in our offices and delivered under real-time X-ray imaging (fluoroscopy) to ensure accurate placement. Regenerative medicine therapies Regenerative medicine treatments like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy and stem cell injections stimulate the body’s natural healing processes and promote tissue repair. When surgery is unavoidable Despite our best efforts to avoid surgery, there are cases when joint replacement is the most appropriate solution. Depending on the amount of damage, your surgeon may recommend partial or complete joint replacement. Our team works closely with you as you prepare for surgery, ensuring you receive sufficient information regarding the procedure and expected recovery process. Our goal is to optimize joint health, alleviate pain, and improve quality of life through surgical or nonsurgical means. Schedule an evaluation at Integrity Spine and Orthopedics today by calling our Jacksonville, Florida, office or requesting an appointment online.