Joint replacement surgery

Joint replacement surgery is a technique that removes the surface of a joint and replaces it with an artificial joint (prosthesis). This surgery aims to corrects the shape of the joint and how the joint moves.

When is joint replacement surgery recommended? It is only recommended as a last resort. Joint replacement surgery should only be considered for people who have severe joint symptoms and who have genuinely tried non-surgical treatments for an appropriate length of time, and still not achieved satisfactory control of their joint symptoms. For example, joint replacement surgery is not appropriate for someone who has not trialled a period of suitable exercise, weight management and medication under the guidance of healthcare professionals.

The reason joint replacement surgery is only recommended as a last resort is because:

• of the risks associated with having surgery. For example, infection. Surgical risks are higher for people who have other medical conditions, smoke or are above a healthy weight.
• of the potential need for future revision surgeries. For example, people with overweight or people who are younger or highly active are at greater risk of the artificial joint loosening or wearing out more quickly.
• most people with osteoarthritis can effectively manage their symptoms through changes to their lifestyle, making surgery unnecessary. For example, participating in muscle strengthening exercise, physical activity and strategies to maintain a healthy weight.

Here is some information about the benefits and risks of joint replacement surgery, so you can be better informed about this type of surgery for hip and knee osteoarthritis.

^{Table modified from the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care Osteoarthritis of the knee a decision support tool. Data sourced from NHS Digital.}

Public waiting times for joint replacement surgery can vary widely. Typically, joint replacement surgeries have the longest wait time of any type of elective surgery.

For people with private health insurance, waiting times for joint replacement surgery is dependent on the surgeon’s availability. But wait times are typically far less in a private hospital compared to a public hospital.

It’s important to talk with your doctor about the possible risks of having surgery and let them know any concerns or questions you may have.

If you do choose to have surgery, a couple of points to remember:

• If you are above a healthy weight you are at a greater risk of surgical complications. Also, if your BMI is greater than 40 you may experience less improvement in your joint symptoms after surgery. This is why weight loss is recommended before surgery.
• Recovery after a joint replacement can be improved by being physically active and maintaining a healthy weight before surgery and after surgery.