Q. When should I consider hip or knee replacement?
A. Knee or hip pain associated with walking or other weightbearing activities may be a sign that you are developing arthritis. In the hip, pain is most common in the groin, but can also be in the lateral hip, buttock or thigh. Knee pain can be on the inside, outside, front or throughout the knee.
If your hip or knee joint is significantly affecting your quality of life, it is best to seek the care of a hip and knee replacement orthopedic specialist right away, who will partner with you to determine the best treatment. If non-operative treatments are no longer improving your quality of life, then joint replacement is the definitive treatment.
Typical recovery after a joint replacement can be thought about in terms of threes: three days, three weeks and three months. Three days post-surgery you are typically getting around the house fairly well. By three weeks you are getting around town and grocery stores fairly well. And by three months you are nearly fully recovered, but you will continue to make improvements for up to a year after surgery.
