Could total joint replacement be the best option for you?
An aching knee or stiff hip can be enough to greatly impact your daily routine and your quality of life. Of course, even if our Virgin Islands 
medical team, led by both orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Chase and cardiologist Dr. Ahmet Sayan, recommends getting total joint replacement, it’s still important to understand what the pros and cons are to undergoing this surgery.
More about Total Joint Replacement
Osteoarthritis is a common reason for joint problems. While this form of arthritis cannot be cured, there are nonsurgical options such as medications that can slow the progression and prevent severe joint damage. Unfortunately, many people don’t seek treatment right away, which means that there is significant joint damage by the time they actually receive proper medical care.
Here are some signs and symptoms that you may want to consider getting joint replacement surgery,
- Severe and Persistent Pain: You are in pain more often than not throughout the day and night. Your pain can be so bad at times that it even wakes you up at night. You’ve also tried pain relievers (either over-the-counter or prescription) and nothing seems to be working.
- Reduced Functionality: It seems like it’s getting harder and harder to complete everyday tasks such as doing laundry, making dinner, or cleaning your home. You may find that you aren’t able to complete a lot of the tasks that you once were able to. You’ve also tried steroid injections, bracing, and physical therapy but nothing seems to help.
- Intense, Chronic Stiffness: You are finding it more and more challenging to climb stairs because of joint pain. You may be relying solely on a cane or a walker to help you move around.
- You’re Concerned About Your Safety: This is a concern that should be taken seriously. If your joint pain, stiffness, or other symptoms are so severe that you are worried about falling and injuring yourself, then this warrants talking to our Virgin Islands orthopedist to find out whether total joint replacement is the way to go.
- Significant Joint Damage: If your doctor has already run tests and determined that there is extensive joint damage, then the only way to repair the problem is through replacement surgery. While our goal is to prevent the progression of arthritis and joint damage, if you have sought treatment after the disease has advanced, the best way to repair joint damage may be through surgery.
Call us!
If you are wondering whether you could benefit from total joint replacement, then it’s time to sit down with the experts at Virgin Islands Orthopaedics & Medical Specialists. We have offices in Saint Thomas and St. Croix, Virgin Islands, to serve you better.