I've seen several threads lately on people needing, wanting or putting off joint replacement surgery.

First off, I'm not claiming some extensive expertise, but I've had my share of orthopedic surgeries.

Other health factors not withstanding, DON'T PUT OFF replacement surgery.

If you ever damage a joint, that joint immediately begins to deteriorate. Deterioration may or may not be rapid.

If you've considered or are considering joint replacement, it's probably because you're in pain.

Cortisone shots are nearly always offered. My shoulder was in such bad shape, I would have been going back for shots once a month.
"IF" you don't mind dealing with the cortisone shots, that's a personal choice, but the shots will go on forever. A replacement may be an inconvenience, but you'll eventually become accustomed to it and it will be no big deal.

The sooner you have the replacement done, the sooner the pain stops, the sooner you recover and the sooner you can go on about your life, pain free.

I don't give 2 hoots in hell how good your replacement is, it's not going to be what God gave you.
Don't whine or belly ache about what you can't do!
Figure out how to do what you've always done.
Ropes, pulleys, come-a-longs, ATV's, etc, etc...
It's not impossible, it just may take you a bit longer.

Do the research for your orthopedic surgeon. Alot depends on his/her skills and abilities. You don't want a jack leg mechanic working on your car! 😜

I am fully aware that there are many quality orthopedic surgeons out there, but if you are within range, McBride Orthopedic Hospital in Edmond, OK has an excellent staff and reputation.

And again, I'm no expert, but I am willing to answer any questions....and I'm not afraid to say, "I dunno?"!

The way my doctor said it to me was, Do it now while the rest of your body is still working.

The longer you wait it's like putting a new engine in a 600,000 mile Ford Pinto.

I was supposed to get a knee replaced last fall but the gel injection worked so well, I’m not convinced I can’t get by without it. Prior to the injection, I was basically crippled and the pain would wake me several times every night while trying to sleep… it was excruciating. But my knee has been fairly pain free ever since the injection last July. But this brings up another issue… my hips… both of them are shot and start burning like hell after walking a short distance. So even if I decided to get the knee done, my hips would still limit my activity level… so there’s a question of which joint/joints to address first. I do have an appointment next month with a wrist specialist in the same group of orthos that is going to see if he can remove some bone chips that the VA said couldn’t be taken out. I’ll talk to him about options, but if they can inject my hips and get the same results as I had with my knee, I’m not convinced that getting the gel injections wouldn’t be the better option.
FWIW, the injection was called “Gel One”…

DING! DING! DING!

WE HAVE A WINNER!

....and don't be afraid to put that engine in that Pinto!
It may be slow, but it will go many more miles! LOL!

"Do the research for your orthopedic surgeon. A lot depends on his/her skills and abilities. "

Talk to the Physical Therapists in your area . They'll tell you who's good and who's not .

Another in the OKC area is Dr Reddick. Southwest Orthopedics. Has it together. Did my left hip two years ago in August. Was sooo much better than the guy that did my right one 6 years before in KC. Hips and knees are nothing to delay. Go for it

I got a bad shoulder that’s why I never post pics of dead deer, my gunsmith work, things I’ve built, places I’ve traveled to, my college transcripts

I haven't had any replacements, but I've had orthopedic surgeries on a shoulder, ankle, wrist, and both knees. My rule of thumb is to have surgery when I get to the point that the pain disturbs my sleep or prevents me from doing what I want to do.

I don't know if artificial knee joints have improved, but not too long ago the advice if you were relatively young was to wait as long g as you could because the joints wore out and might need to be replaced.

Asking a surgeon if you need surgery is like asking a barber if you need a haircut.

This is where I wound up, when the pain wouldn't reside in bed trying to sleep. I had a couple of cortisone shots a year since 1988, 5 arthroscopic surgeries, and those gel injections. When the shots don't work more than a month, time to get a new knee. My surgeon did recommend waiting as long as possible, but also suggested when the above is true, it becomes a quality of life issue. That's when I decided to go ahead with the TKR's.

I have a general practitioner doctor and a surgeon, two different people.

The hip got to where I couldn't sit in a rocking chair comfortably.
The shoulder kept me awake at nights.
The trigger thumb would wake me up at night.
My ankle hurt every time my foot hit the ground. They "fused" the ankle to stop the "bone-on-bone" contact.

Question: Why would you wait until the pain was unbearable?
I did wait with both my hip and my shoulder.
After being released from doctor's care, all I could think of was. "Why didn't I get that done sooner?"

I was going to have both knees replaced last year but then I broke my back.

Once we are finished drilling I will get them done. Or maybe before if I can't stand it any longer.

I had a gel injection a few years ago, that may have helped. But both knees are shot. Have had both knees a High Tibial Osteotomy which gave me more than ten years extra.

Buoyed by the positive posts!

I am less than impressed after hip replacement. Skipping any and all other procedures.

Be careful with bad hips. Lack of blood flow can be a real problem. Friend had it done because of severe pain and blood flow had been reduced. They are recovering slow but sure.


Clyde

I had started peeing some after taking Flo-max for two months, was really wanting to blow off prostate surgery. My doc said I best do it now before some other health issue makes me unable to stand the procedure. I’m thankful I listened to him. Best do it while you can!!

Tough deal. Hips are way easier than knees too.

Surgery should be the last option. When you are in your 40's or 50's maybe so. I could use two new knees, two hips, another shoulder replacement, couple of hand surgeries and a stomach surgery. Half of that, I would be layed up for 3-5 years . I will be eighty in a few months. If I figure e I might live to be 92-93. I'm not about to give up g half of what life I have left.

GF manages a orthopedic surgery and she says to look for a retired Military surgeon. Universally they are the best she has worked with.

MartinStrummer: I (in my non-professional OPINION!) am convinced (by Doctors!) that once a joint is "damaged" it is next to impossible for that joint damage to repair itself.
Deteriorization (arthritis, bone spurs etc!) of joints will follow damage.
I do, though, thank God for the many Cortisone shots I received in my duty related damaged left knee!
Those Cortisone shots allowed me to do things (Hunting, fishing, hiking, puppy style, crawling and standing for extended periods of time) that I was pained to do or could not do before the injections started!
I received Cortisone injections in my knee for several years before I had that joint replaced.
Cortisone does NOT repair anything but, in my instance, it allowed me to resume many activities (including sleeping!) without pain.
Do not poo-poo Cortisone.
I consider it a blessing.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

That's my philosophy on it. Every surgery has risks, and even without a "bad" outcome, not everyone gets the same benefit.

I had ACL reconstruction in 2001, that's relatively straightforward surgery. Except the surgeon nicked a nerve in my knee and the muscles in the front of my calf (anterior tibialis) were 100% paralyzed for a year and my foot flopped around like a dead fish. Had to wear a brace to hold the foot up, and people at work would say they could always tell when it was me walking down the hall. Had surgery to repair the nerve and it came back to around 70-80%, but the muscles on that calf are still skinnier than the other side.

I had to put off a hip replacement for a year for other health reasons. Wish it wasn’t so but when i finally got the replacement, what a relief. It still aches but doesn’t hurt. I’m back to doing everything i was pre-injury except running, not that i was much of a runner anyway. That’s the one exercise the ortho told me to avoid.

Had my right knee replaced in 2017.
Surgery wasn't that bad, physical therapy was a mother!! Still get fluid on it once in a while.
It is better than it was before the replacement!

I am looking at a total right ankle replacement. (climbing accident Father's Day 1992) I hit rehab hard then and have done much better than the doctors expected I would. I just can't run or skate. Over the last couple of years its gone from chronically annoying and occasionally painful to pretty arthritic and painful most of the time. I watched videos on YouTube and its pretty intense. I'd be lying if I said it didn't scare me some.

Hoping it get it done and be ready for late elk season. We will see. Tic Toc Tic Toc

I won't ask how old you are, but I had a severely arthritic ankle and got it fused when I was 60. Did you rule out fusion?

I saw two different very good ankle specialists and I asked both about replacement vs. fusion. Both told me that at my age fusion was the way to go if I wanted to stay active and do stuff like hike in the mountains. They both said that ankle joints were harder to replicate than hips or knees, and weren't as good as either.

You may have already considered all this, just putting the information out there.

All these joint replacements have one thing in common. In old age, arthritis will develop around them.

i just turned 67. When I discussed fusion I got the impression my activities would be limited. That doctor didn't recommend a replacement though. The new doctor says both options are good but he believes I'll have much better results from an activity perspective with a new one but he certainly isn't pushing it.

He gives me shots to keep me moving and says he can keep doing that but the shots wear off sooner every time and that is probably not something I take the rest of my life.

Going to ask the doc for names of folks who are living with his work.

My doctor told me that if I was older, and all I wanted to do was walk around the block, a replacement would be fine. But not if I wanted to keep doing strenuous outdoor stuff.

I don't feel limited. I go to the gym, do heavy weights with the lower body, just as heavy as before. Also all the same cardio exercises, stair climbers, bike riding, etc. And elk hunting in the mountains, hiking a few miles in and on steep terrain. The ankle hasn't really limited me with any of that.

One thing I've noticed, orthopedic surgeons tend to recommend what their specialty is. YMMV.

Any fusion or joint replacement will have more limitations than the original. Can't make it like new ,but reduce pain and replace some of the lossed capabilities.

Really? Sarcasm intended, you do realize the reason for most joint replacement is arthritis! And one you remove the cartilage and bone from the moving parts arthritis is improved.

Had a reverse shoulder replacement at age 49, my range of motion prior was 70% and dropping fast. I end up having two bad rotator cuff tendons and severe arthritis due to an injury 30 years prior.

By all means, if it works for you, go for it. I won't "poo-poo" cortisone. It's helped a LOT of people.
I never tried it, but every joint I've had replaced was so far gone, cortisone would have been a waste of time and money.
They have offered to inject my elbow, but the doctor said that due to the condition of the joint, cortisone wouldn't last very long.

I'm 84 & both of my knees are bad. I've been getting cortisone injections for over a year & they help a lot in reducing pain, but still can't get around as I would like for hunting & other activities. Still contemplating TKR & can't make up my mind with few remaining years!

my wife at 62 years old had both knees replaced the same day , had her walking 3 hours after surgery , after one year she is much better than she was at 40 years of age. i still need a left shoulder replacement but don`t want to do it yet .but in the past have had both of my shoulders have had major surgery , neck has a steel disc inserted in middle disc, major surgery on right knee ,4 back surgeries last back surgery steel plates and 12 screws in my spine , stints in heart area and one stint in my lower stomach from last back surgery caused my nicking a artery. had steroid shots today 3-23-23 one in shoulder and one in knee feels great again ! i have had so many steroid shots over many years close to 100 maybe ? in knee,shoulders ,elbows ,wrists ,back, neck ,stomach , ankle , hip and it does help ! good luck, Pete53

I put off replacement from 1991 to 2005. About 10 years too late! 😉
I could walk upright again.
I could sit in my easy chair, comfortably, again.
My back quit hurting! 😃
What a joy.
When I last saw the surgeon that replaced my hip, he asked me if my back bothered me.
"Why?"
He held up the x-ray of my hip.
"Every joint I can see in your back is eaten up with arthritis."


When they fused my ankle, I lost a little flexibility and a little dexterity.
But more than anything else, I lost a WHOLE lotta P-A-I-N!

Folks, as painful as it might be, we should be grateful they can do it. Back when you'd suffer, and die.

I have had hip replacement surgery. I was 60 when I had it done, no issues and I have no real limitations.

Sent 2 aunts with hip pain to my surgeon and both didn’t need a replacement. A good surgeon doesn’t need to operate on every patient that walks through the doors. Find a good surgeon and do what they tell you. Mine doesn’t believe in to much therapy, walking works pretty good. Don’t sit on your butt and then complain you don’t feel better.

My artificial knee is way better than my 61 year old knee was. The only restriction my doc put on me was running. I don't even think of my knee now unless I am kneeling. I just can't but I couldn't before TKR either. It is a total win for me.

Sitting on your butt has nothing to do with it The best alternatives to surgery in many cases involve PT and exercise. It's worked twice for me.

Don't put it off and do nothing. Joints can be rehabilitated though without surgery if you are willing to make the changes and do the therapy. Joints, like all body parts are alive and do rebuild themselves. They don't just wear out because of age and overuse. Not every issue can be corrected without surgery, but many can.

I'm not going to give a bunch of links because if you aren't interested enough to look into the possibility yourself then you won't be interested enough to do anything except the surgery. I will say that the Knees over toes guy will give most a good starting place.

Then you likely didn't need surgery in the first place.

Well, yes and no. With my shoulder it gave me 8 or 9 years until it finally got to the point where it was waking me up. With my hip, it's been good for the past two years, fingers crossed on that.

I agree with saddlesore though, surgery should be the last resort.

the day after my steroid shots in knee and shoulder yesterday i feel like a new man again for a while. somehow

I've had steroid shots in a couple different joints. Key words for me are "for a while." And when the steroids wear off, the pain seemed to be worse.

Both shoulders need replaced according to the Orthopedic Doctor I’ve seen.

Trouble happened quick for me. Shoveling gravel my right began hurting. Pretty painful for a couple months. During that time I used my left predominately until it too became a problem. Finally succumbed and went to the Doctor. He X-rayed both, and put in cortisone. Said an MRI might be needed if problem persisted. Mentioned “cleaning them up”.

The shots helped a lot for a couple months then wore off. I tolerated it again for maybe six more months then returned to the Doctor. He X-Rayed again, shot both up with cortisone and told me both needed replaced. I asked about the MRI and “clean up” to which he said it might help but not for very long, both needed replaced.

That was in December. Shots have now worn off. Pain is persistent using either arm in certain ways, mostly extended laterally away from my body. Range of motion has deteriorated to the point I cannot take off a button up shirt or zip up coat without first moving the shoulders off with my opposite arm. I’m functioning but at a much lower level at work and recreation.

I’m a loader at a chemical plant. Rail, Barge, and trucks, mostly rail. Been doing the same thing pretty much for the last 30 years. Hope to retire soon (3 years max). Had a couple of back surgeries and elbow problems. Both still cause me trouble but are tolerable. The shoulders however are really becoming a nagging issue.

When I left the Doctor hearing “replacement” my first thought was no way, it’ll heal. Then I considered it was what a surgeon would recommend for the billing potential. Current insurance plan would pay 80% after $10000 deductible. Have to imagine a shoulder replacement would exceed the out of pocket $10k. January 1, 2024 the deductible will be significantly less with much higher premiums.

Reading this thread has been informative. Don’t run into many people discussing joint replacement. Good to hear of the successes and problems encountered. I hope to get by until January then make a decision, likely after getting a second opinion. Will remain on the “shot schedule” and meds for now.

Ditto on the zip up coats and shirts.
My shoulder had gotten to the point where eating with a utensil meant putting my elbow on the table and leaning into the utensil.
Scratching the top of my head, I had to raise my right arm, the push the elbow up with my left hand.

We all have our pain tolerance levels.....and what we will do to avoid or address that pain.
My big push was pain and the inability to accomplish everyday tasks comfortably.


The implant they used on my hip was designed by a Dr. McBride in the late 50's!
Ten years after the implant (2005), it shows no signs of wear or flaking!
Thank God and smart people for the advancements in implant surgery, both devices and techniques!

When your arm hangs down along your side like it isn't part of your body, replacement might be called for.

Between hip, knee, and shoulder. Shoulder is the worse in terms of pain, PT, recovery time, and future use.
I am 4 years post reverse shoulder replacement. I do not have 100%ROM, I still get aches, and cannot build my muscles back up to pre-surgery strength.They tell you other muscles will retrain to take the place of the ones you don't have anymore. Not True.

Worse part is I still have to do 8 different exercises every other day and will have to do them for the rest of my life or the shoulder will pop out of joint. Surgeon wants to go back in and put a spacer in. Screw that, I am not about to go thru it again and take 6 months+ out of my life being almost 80 years old .

Your out of pocket will definitely exceed the $10K.

I was fortunate that my replacement wasn't the "reverse". Yeppers! PT was hell! I'm normally a peaceful person, but I was ready to kill my PT guy! A "deep tissue" massage on a tight muscle! Damn that hurt! But it sure felt better when he got through! 😉
My ROM isn't 100%, but it's a helluva lot more than presurgery! I'm pickled tink! I'm not pain free either, but the pain is no where NEAR the presurgery scale! More tweak or twinge occasionally.

It's unfortunate that ANY of us should need joint replacements, but regardless of your decision, may your outcome be good.