Published on January 30, 2024

man holding knee, in pain.

Joint Replacement Stops Arthritis Pain

One in three Americans endures the progressive pain of arthritis, and each day, this discomfort nags at their knees and saps their spirits. While patients may battle these symptoms, sometimes for years, joint replacement surgery can “win” that fight once and for all.

What Joint Replacement Can Do to Fight Arthritis

Bryce Braaksma, DO, Avera Orthopedics in Sioux Falls, said when the treatment protocols such as anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy and joint injections fail, it’s time to consider the definitive treatment for arthritis.

“The other steps merely address the symptoms. Joint replacement surgery is the only treatment that addresses the disease of osteoarthritis,” Braaksma said. He said 80-90% of arthritis patients he sees have this type of this common condition.

“Arthritic joints lose protective cartilage, and that’s where the pain comes from,” he said. “Joint replacement surgery allows us to remove failing joint surfaces.

Those worn surfaces are replaced with new metal and plastic surfaces that reduce friction, allow joints to move more naturally and eliminate pain. Braaksma explained that while cartilage has no nerves, bones have many. A rich nerve network in each bone is why when they rub, pain flairs.

“It’s a pain arthritis sufferers know too well,” he added. “Yet after joint replacement, that pain is gone.”

Take the Next Step

Our guide will help you plan for joint replacement as you talk with your provider.

Get the Guide

Surgery Removes Pain but Has Pros and Cons

There’s some recovery time and pain from the surgery itself, but since the underlying problem is fixed, many patients seek it out. “Most patients are up and walking on the day of their surgery and go home soon,” he said.

Since you’re the patient, you know best the limits osteoarthritis is putting on your life. Braaksma said as your surgeon, he’s ready to listen. “I’m here to offer you solutions to those limits and a way to stop the suffering,” he added.

Braaksma said that robotic technology and 3-D imaging can be part of a solution that makes the procedure less invasive – and reduce recovery time.

Best Age to Have Joint Replacement Surgery

Many patients in pain will wonder about limitations that come with surgery. Most patients who have joint replacements, including hip and knee, are ages 55-80, yet there are some exceptions.

Braaksma said since more people ages 35-45 continue running, biking and taking part in sports later in life, they may experience arthritis before reaching age 50. “Younger patients can experience the same pain,” he said. “Replaced joints can last from 15-25 years, so getting one ‘too early’ is not common.”

When it comes to the timing of joint replacement, the process of non-operative osteoarthritis management comes first. “It may last a few months or several years,” said Braaksma. “In some severe cases, imaging shows the joint replacement is the best next step.”

Since osteoarthritis is a progressive disease, all steps short of joint replacement will help, but pain can return. “In most cases, the management process must occur – and fail – before insurance covers the full cost of surgery,” he added.

Limits That Come With a Replaced Joint

Many patients in pain will wonder about limitations that come with surgery. Braaksma said some activities are off limits, including high-impact sports or lifting heavy weights. “Many patients realize the improvement of their overall well-being makes up for those limitations,” he said. “It also will vary by person.”

Some common limits can include:

  • Avoiding activities that call for jerking, twisting movements
  • Staying away from contact sports, including even touch football or basketball, where collisions can occur
  • Avoiding running during the healing process
  • Some movements, such as climbing long flights of stairs, can require patience or a few minutes of rest when completed

After complete surgical recovery, some people return to activities with more impact, like running. Others take to hiking, walking or other pastimes that put less stress on the joint.

Arthritis Severity Differs in Each Patient

Since arthritis varies – affecting some people more than others at various intensities – working with an orthopedics professional can be a best first step. “We are not sure why some people get arthritis and others do not,” Braaksma said. “Definitive relief is possible with joint replacement. It allows for complete treatment of the progressive pain people experience.”