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Pain in the Joints? It Might Be Time for Surgery

April 03, 2019

When severe pain affects your routine, either your sleep or ability to perform everyday tasks, you might benefit from joint replacement surgery.

“We recommend joint replacement surgery when knee pain and loss of function become severe and when medicines and other treatments no longer relieve pain,” said Dr. Robert Carangelo, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at the Hartford HealthCare Bone & Joint Institute. “Joint replacement can relieve a lot of pain and help people move much better.”

Dr. Carangelo and other experts at the Institute will use X-rays to look at your knee to confirm loss of cartilage and limb deformity.

During a joint replacement, damaged bone and cartilage is removed. The end of the bone is resurfaced with metal alloys and often cemented to the healthy remaining bone. There have been many advances in surgical techniques and to the design of artificial implants for these procedures.

Robotics and joint replacement surgery:

Most people have much less pain after knee replacement surgery and are able to do many of their daily activities more easily. You should also be able to resume things like swimming, biking, golfing or dancing.

Although the knee may not bend as well as a healthy knee, the goal is to return your level of activity to normal and without pain.

To connect to a doctor who specializes in joint replacement surgery or register for a class to learn more, call 866.633.2229.