Are you a candidate for a knee or hip replacement with WYOS?

If you have chronic orthopedic pain in your knees and hips, simply walking around your home can seem nearly impossible. If over-the-counter medications, physical therapy, and other treatments aren’t helping with your pain, a total knee or hip replacement may be the next best move.

But how do you know if you’re a candidate? You may be if:

• Your pain is affecting your daily life. Does your knee or hip pain limit your mobility and prevent you from doing activities you once loved, or even every-day tasks that you once used to be able to do with ease? When severe orthopedic pain starts affecting your daily life, it may be time to consider a total knee or hip replacement.
• You have bone damage. If osteoarthritis goes untreated, it can begin to take a toll on your overall bone health. X-rays and other imaging tests can take a look at the surrounding bone to see if a knee or hip replacement may help improve your bone health. (It’s important to note that if your bone is too damaged and can’t support a replacement, you will not be a candidate for one.)
• Your joints are in pain while moving. A knee or hip replacement can help reduce the pain you feel while moving. However, if you only experience the pain while you’re resting, a joint replacement will not be an effective solution.
• You do not suffer from infection. If you have a clean bill of health, your doctor may recommend you have your knee or hip replaced. If you are suffering from an infection, it can worsen at the site of a joint replacement—therefore you will not be a candidate for surgery.

Surgical options besides total joint replacement
If your condition is less severe or you don’t require a total joint replacement, your doctor may recommend a meniscus procedure or ligament procedure to resolve your pain and restore your mobility.

If you are living your life with pain caused by knee or hip joint issues, the experts at Wyoming Orthopedics and Spine (WYOS) in Gillette, Wyoming are here to help. At WYOS, we recognize that each patient is unique and create a customized treatment plan to get you back on your feet. If surgery is necessary, our physicians will explain the surgical process and answer any questions the patient may have. To enjoy an active and healthy life at any age, call WYOS at 307.686.1413 or visit www.wyomingorthospine.com to learn more.