Most people will never need surgery for osteoarthritis, but if you have severe joint damage, extreme pain that isn’t helped by other treatments, or very limited motion as a result of the condition, osteoarthritis surgery may be necessary.
Surgery for osteoarthritis can provide several benefits, including the following:
Improved movement: If the constant wearing away of cartilage makes it difficult for you to move, making it difficult to you to get around and stay independent, replacing the damaged joint with a synthetic one can allow you to continue activities that you enjoy.
Pain relief: If osteoarthritis causes severe, constant pain that isn’t relieved by treatments such as medications, exercise or physical therapy, surgically replacing the painful joint or removing loose growths that are causing pain, for example, can relieve pain.
Improved joint alignment: In some cases, osteoarthritis can cause the joint to become maligned so that it no longer functions as it should and looks unusual. In the knees, surgery can correct or improve this misalignment. But appearance should not be the main reason for having surgery for osteoarthritis; improved appearance should be considered a bonus after osteoarthritis surgery improves movement and relieves pain.
Surgery for Osteoarthritis
Will I need surgery for osteoarthritis?
Larry crist 18 Oct 2009, 09:05 |
| Had a MRI done on the left side of my hip and complained about my left knee as well. Well my first MRI of the hip area shows a lot of bone spurs, 1cm cysts and multiple cyst left side and the right isde hip is not as bad but getting there. My Ortho Dr. still was not convince so I had an EMG done it shows my lumbar spinal area. Another MRI with5 other MRI and a Nuclear scan. Well I just hjad surgery from the L3-4, L4-5, L5-S1 All arhritic plus this dtr found more Arthritis and a nerniated disc and a bulging disc. Now back to my left hip still grinds and pops just like my left knee guess what Im 56 years old and told Im in there grey area to have surgery. Sorry This is my life my body the cortisone shots dont work or any orther shots or pain relievers. I like to know where my patients rights are. At least my Neuro surgeon finally gave a couple of Ortho dr. to go to to geta second opinion and oh yes Im pushing for surgery its my right.The left knee is getting worse than my left hip so i No there is something really wrong. |
Annie 06 Oct 2009, 16:32 |
| yes! I am a suffer of osteoarthritis too. I have it so bad in my knees and
hips. I am like an old person getting up form my chair. I can't sit for
long periods of timnor stand for long periods either. What to do? At
night I have difficulty sleeping on my shoulders. I wake up in a lot of
pain. And I turn on my back for short periods, don't like it cause I dream
on my back. It is so upsetting that you can sleep on your side. I manage.
i have started a work out regiment at the gym. Helping myself strengthen
my muscles around the deteriating areas. I also, have an inverter that I
use to turn upside down to relieve the pressure on my joints. For you
arthritis suffers, this is a great investment. It aligns, keep pressure
off joints and aligns your organs and your verterbre and balances your
spinal cord. It only $400 dollars, it worth every penny. I am trying very hard to change my diet. It's challenging, but i have to do it. I crave chocolates like crazy. You have to have a plan, a menu of things you need to eat healthier. I've pretty much done everything. Still have a ways to go. |
Melody Brunty 15 Sep 2009, 11:39 |
| I have lupus SLE, Sjogren's, and arthritis. I get horrendous migraine
headaches and cervical neck pain. I have spinal stenosis and some bony
growth going into my spinal canal as well as degenerative disease in my
c-spine. I'm 36 & at home. The neck pain is so severe, coupled with muscle
pain &tight, painful neck muscles.I get muscle pain in my back, too, knots
& spasms. I get P.T. & also have had numerous trigger point injections. My
rheumy ruled out fibromyalgia. I too, have been fighting with Social security for like 3 years.I can no longer do all that I used. So frustrating, tiring, and the pain is terrible. It seems like others, too, experience migraines/headaches with the cerival pain. It's good to know you are not alone. God Bless you all! |
Stacey 01 Sep 2009, 15:28 |
| Betty Forehand- I am a 42 year old woman with C-7 almost gone, C-6 bulging and C-5 wearing; not to mention the 14 (yes 14) bone spurs...I am a full time middle school teacher with two kids. I can't tell you how the pain is ruining my otherwise perfect life..(Great kids and hubby) ... A few years back I had CARPAL TUNNEL surgery and it ended the numbness in my hands and fingers...I would try this VERY easy surgery first. I am holding off as long as I can on the replacement surgery as it has yet to be perfected. I use TONS of pain killers.... I also am having lower lumbar disc degeneration...It has been quite a journey for me. I just try and concentrate on the NOW and the little joys a bit more.. Stacey Manhattan Beach, CA |
Betty Forehand 22 Aug 2009, 18:13 |
| I have been diognoised with cervical spinial sternosis. After having two nuerosurgeons to veiw my MRI, I have been advised that surgery is necessary. I spoke to my rhumatologist to get his opinion, and he is totally aganist the surgery. He feels it is unnecessary, because I do not have any pain, just numbness and tingling in the fingers and hand. I would appreciate some advice. |
Ed Dennison 23 Jul 2009, 12:45 |
| I too have been told I have Cervical Ostearthritis along with lumbar O. Is
there anything short of surgery that can truly help? I have bulging discs,
disc degeneration, bone spurs that are contributing to stenosis in my neck
and lower back that cause pain and numbness in extremeties. I have tried
pain pills(vicoprofin, tramadol) and therapy(made my pain worse). I feel
best when i am in a pool, but as soon as I get out the pain is back. It gets so bad that at times I have difficulty taking a deep breath. I can't sit at a desk but I can't stand up for very long. I have been fighting the system(social {in}security) for three years. Can anybody those of us with this problem? |
James Pead 25 Jun 2009, 19:43 |
| I have arthritis on the right hip and it causes me severe pain and discomfort and I don't know what to do next. Or when should I go through joint replacement surgery. This affect all aspects of my life. Can some one tell me when I need to do the surgury? |
sonny 28 May 2009, 14:33 |
| very simple and effective exercise for neck pain .trust me it really helps.
stand in front of a wall , as close as possible so your chin[facing upwards] touches the wall. Now chin facing upwards slowly raise your both hands in a circular motion . do this sets of to reps every day .....IT REALLY TAKES THE PAIN AWAY .GIVE IT A TRY |
cindy 18 May 2009, 12:18 |
| Neck pain and physical therapy since Oct. 2007. I also started going to exercise classes and walking just to keep my body moving. Helps to have less weight to carry around too. Finally some improvement this spring of 2009. I felt the best when I visited my daughter in the dry desert of the southwest U.S. I take Celebrex daily, it may help some. I still may need surgery C-5 and C-6 before I get too old, I am 61. |
Donna 07 May 2009, 10:41 |
| I am 41 years old. I had spinal fusion with rods done in August, 1981.
Since then my lower back and hip pain has been getting worse to the point
where it is uncomfortable to sit or drive at times. I finally went to see a
spine surgeon on Tuesday. I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis, as well as
spinal spurs. My doctor said that I do need surgery. But, in the meantime I
have to undergo physical therapy and see a rheumatologist. I may be looking
at injections.. that scares me :o\ |
ness c 26 Apr 2009, 11:05 |
| I have suffered with cerical osteoarthritis, I have been back and forth
pain clinic. Been put on tramodol , not helping , apart from causing me, to
want to sleep more! I also have oesto- arthritis in both knees and
oestoporisis, I am over weight and waiting to see the surgeon to have
bariatric sugery to help get the wieght off as I know this is not helping .
At times my DR has not been any support I know being about 7-8 st over
wieght has not helped , but I do know I had oestoarthritis before I put the
wieght on ! |
Candy 20 Apr 2009, 20:06 |
I was just diagnosed with osteorthritis of the spin. I'm only 29 and have 3 kids. My neck pain is unbearable and my hands, legs and feet arms and back. Now i cant walk as good and headaches are so bab. My DR. put me on lortab.The pain went away but now it's back. I'm going to a specialist. I just wanted my life back. I feel your pain!!!! |
Bernadette Norton 07 Apr 2009, 23:17 |
| Last year I suffered so terribly with cervical pain that I developped Panic and anxiety attacks for lack of sleep this whent on for 2 months after trying many different drugs to no avail. Finally went to a pain clinic and had a specialist inject me in the neck with an epideral of steroid to the spinal cord, three days later the pain was gone, I started sleeping and got well, it has been one year, I am still free of pain. To think that I was left to suffer for so long to the point were I was almost committed to a phyciatric ward makes me very angry. no one understood how much pain I was in, or did not take me seriously. |
Tammy 07 Apr 2009, 19:46 |
| Hi Marie, Nancy, and Dawn- I recently have also been diognoised with cervical o. I went to physical therapy for a month with some relief, but, when therapy was stopped I was right back to square one. I felt like I was spending a lot of money for nothing. I so agree with you Dawn/Nancy! I feel like my family doctor sent me for an MRI, told me I had cervical o, sent me to physical therapy, but never really explained anything to me. I have decided to go see a specialist. I feel I need more information. Thank you Marie for the info and websites!!! |
Marie 06 Apr 2009, 16:40 |
| Finding information about cervical arthritis takes a lot of searching and
gleaning information from other respected sites. Also getting a more specific diagnosis - was it based on exam, X-rays, MRI, CT scan?? Cervical arthritis is a catch-all phrase. As for myself, I had a single level C5-6 ACDF, then 2 years later had C3-5 done. Never had neck pain, just arm pain. But this past Fall, I began having actual neck pain. I had access to a doc that does acupuncture and in 3 sessions he was able to reduce the muscle spasm which were causing 50% of the pain. I finally went to an ortho spine doc, he took X-rays, and I now have significant osteoarthritis at the C1-2 level! Not much to do except 'comfort measures'...tried Tylenol but no help so went back to Advil. My PCP started me on Mobic but I saw no difference in 3 weeks. All the lab work at this time is negative for RA. I'm waiting for a referral to a Rheumotolgist as my hands have gotten much worse. Check out Spineuniverse.com and spine-health.com for further information. |
Nancy V 05 Apr 2009, 07:30 |
| Hi Dawn, I was just diagnosed this past week with the same thing. My doctor is sending me to physical therapy and said to use Ibuprofen. I had been getting terrible headaches and the pain in my neck is unbearable most of the time. I will let you know how physical therapy goes once I finally start. |
Dawn T 24 Mar 2009, 23:46 |
| Why is it that no one talks about cervical osteoarthritis? I have this in
my neck and the pain is so bad everything I trie does not work to stop the
pain. Please tell me what to do to get better. Thank you. |
