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Q
I have been diagnosed
with arthritis. Does that
mean I need a total
joint replacement?
Once the diagnosis of arthritis has been
established, the thought of surgery can
seem overwhelming. I like to start with
questions that give me a sense of how
much of an effect the arthritis has on a
person’s life. Once I have established the
personal cost of arthritis, it is then good
to understand the treatment options that
are available.
Arthritis has been treated for centuries
without surgery. The first treatments that
people try are usually nonsurgical. Avoid-
ing activities that make it hurt; using an
aid, like a cane, a staff or braces; anti-
inflammatories; ice; and physical therapy
are all tools that will help ease the pain
of arthritis. While these treatments do
not fix the arthritis, they do help a person
to live with it.
Many patients are concerned that this
new onset of pain and dysfunction repre-
sents active damage to the joint. The pain,
coupled with a new diagnosis of arthritis,
can make it seem like surgery is the only
option. The good news is that a person
can live with an arthritic joint for years if
they choose. The hip or knee replacement
to “cure” the arthritis is the same if a
person has surgery now or waits five years.
W H A T A R E Y O U R P R I O R I T I E S ?
One of the tools that I use when trying
to determine if surgery is the best option
is to have my patients imagine a large
circle. In that circle go all of the things
a person does in life: hunting, fishing,
hiking, gardening, work, playing with
grandkids, etc. Arthritis makes the circle
smaller so that there is not room for
certain activities. Gradually, like a sailor
on a sinking ship, a person will throw out
the things they enjoy in order to keep
their life afloat. Usually, if the arthritis is
severe, all that is left are the necessities.
The best option to help you with this
decision is to make an appointment with
an orthopedic surgeon. There you will
get an opinion about your arthritis, learn
about the options for treatment, and
develop an informed plan to deal with
your arthritis.
ASK THE EXPERT
Joseph Bowen, M.D.,
Kootenai Clinic Orthopedics
How to LiveWith Arthritis
L E A R N
M O R E
If
you would like
to learn more about
Kootenai Clinic
Orthopedics, visit
KH.org/orthopedics .To schedule an
appointment with
Dr. Bowen, call
(208) 625-6700
.
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