Myth 5: The Only Real Fix for Bad Joint Pain is Surgery
The thought of surgery, such as a knee or hip replacement, can be frightening. For many, this fear keeps them from even talking to a doctor about their severe pain. They believe it’s their only option and would rather suffer in silence than face a major operation. This is another of the most limiting joint health mistakes seniors believe.
While joint replacement surgery is a life-changing and highly successful procedure for many people with end-stage arthritis, it is by no means the first or only option. There is a wide and wonderful world of conservative, non-surgical treatments that can provide significant relief and improve function.
Your doctor’s goal is to help you find the least invasive treatment that works for you. This “step-care” approach often includes:
Physical Therapy: A physical therapist is a movement expert. They can design a personalized program of exercises to strengthen the muscles around your painful joint, improve your range of motion, and teach you how to move in ways that reduce stress on the joint.
Medications: This can range from over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs (like ibuprofen) to prescription medications designed to reduce inflammation and pain.
Injections: For more targeted relief, a doctor might suggest corticosteroid injections to calm severe inflammation or viscosupplementation injections (sometimes called “gel shots”) to help lubricate the knee joint.
Weight Management: Every extra pound of body weight puts about four extra pounds of pressure on your knees. Losing even a small amount of weight can make a massive difference in joint pain.
Assistive Devices: Using a cane, walker, or a simple grabbing tool can reduce the strain on your joints during daily activities and significantly improve your safety and independence.
Surgery is typically considered only after these other, more conservative methods have been tried and are no longer providing adequate relief. There is so much you can do to manage your pain long before surgery is ever on the table.
