No More “Oh! My Aching Joints.”
The Facts About Arthritis
One in five adults in the United States suffers from arthritis, an inflammation of the joints that causes pain, stiffness, swelling, and lack of mobility. Unfortunately, half of all Americans believe that nothing can be done to treat arthritis. True, there is currently no cure for arthritis. But there are many treatments available, such as physical therapy and medications, which can relieve the symptoms. Thereʼs no reason to live with unnecessary pain. Talk to your physician about the best treatment options for your situation.
Joint Replacement Surgery May Be The Answer
Eventually arthritis can wear down a joint to the point where the pain is constant. If you find yourself not using the joint because of the pain it produces, you should consider joint replacement surgery. About 700,000 hip and knee replacements are performed each year in the United States. These artificial joints are made of plastic or metal or a combination of these materials. In the 1970s, an artificial hip only lasted about 10 years. But today, thanks to better surgical techniques and the use of stronger, more durable materials, joint replacements last longer. For example, about 85 percent of hip joint replacements now last about 20 years.