Can My Osteoarthritis Symptoms Be Improved With Surgery?

Many surgical interventions can provide relief of OA-related symptoms. They range from office procedures that your rheumatologist can do under local anesthesia to major surgery performed by orthopedic surgery specialists that requires you to be hospitalized. These procedures include the injection of hyaluronic acid, steroids, or even new cartilage cells (chondrocytes) into the joint; arthroscopic procedures; and total joint replacement.

The type of procedure that you might need depends on many factors, including your symptoms, the amount of disability you have, your general health status, and the skills and training of your orthopedic surgeon.

If you have OA of any joint that has progressed to the point it limits your ability to function or enjoy life, then you should consider surgery. For example, if you have hip or knee pain that cannot be controlled with medication or if your joint is so degenerated by OA that it no longer functions, then surgery may offer significant relief of pain and improvement in function.

Unlike other types of surgery (for example, having your appendix removed), orthopedic surgery requires a greater investment of your time and effort after the procedure. The ultimate outcome of most orthopedic surgery depends on two factors: the skills of the surgeon and the willingness and ability of the patient to participate in a rehabilitation program for weeks or months after the procedure. Patients without the physical or mental ability to participate in a rigorous rehabilitation program are not considered good candidates for many procedures.

The ultimate outcome of most orthopedic surgery depends on two factors: the skills of the surgeon and the willingness and ability of the patient to participate in a rehabilitation program for weeks or months after the procedure.

If you are considering surgery, discuss this issue with your primary care physician and your rheumatologist. They can advise you if you are a good candidate for a surgical procedure and explain what you can expect after the surgery.