Why Can’t Some People Qualify for Joint Replacement?
For many individuals struggling with chronic joint pain, a joint replacement (or arthroplasty) is the only permanent solution. However, certain situations make this otherwise common procedure especially complex or risky.
The following circumstances and conditions may lead an orthopaedic surgeon to discourage joint replacement:
- Unstable or severe medical conditions: Individuals with heart, lung, or kidney disease – or any other very serious condition like cancer – may have increased risk or complications during any surgery. This includes joint replacement.
- Poorly managed hypertension or diabetes: Other chronic conditions like high blood pressure (hypertension) or diabetes also increase the risk of surgical complications. Therefore, if you have one of these conditions and it isn’t properly managed, you may not qualify for joint replacement.
- Lifestyle factors: Individuals who are overweight or obese () or who smoke may be at higher risk of complications, even if they have no accompanying medical conditions.
- Severe osteoporosis in surrounding bones: Following a joint replacement, it’s essential for the surrounding bones to be capable of supporting the implant. Therefore, people suffering from severe osteoporosis may not qualify, as their surrounding bones may be too brittle to stabilize a new, implanted joint.
What Is a Second Opinion?
A second opinion is exactly what it sounds like: seeking an alternative perspective on your specific medical situation. Many patients seek a second opinion before moving forward with a serious procedure like joint replacement.
Ultimately, whether or not to get a second opinion before surgery (or after being turned down for surgery) is up to you. However, if you don’t feel 100% comfortable or confident in the treatment plan your original physician proposed, it’s fully within your rights to seek out an additional evaluation.
Second Opinions on Joint Replacement in El Paso, TX
At El Paso Orthopaedic Surgery Group, our goal is to create individualized treatment plans suited to your unique situation. While crafting a treatment plan, we remain focused on quality outcomes (like greater mobility and reduced pain), while still factoring in surgical risk factors.
In either of the following situations, our physicians are happy to provide a full review and re-evaluation of your orthopaedic treatment plan:
- Your previous doctor has recommended joint replacement surgery, but you feel nervous and would prefer to continue with less invasive treatments first (like medicine, steroid injections, etc.).
- Your previous doctor has advised against joint replacement surgery, particularly due to obesity or other lifestyle factors not tied to a more serious condition.
In some cases, our physicians’ opinions may line up with your original doctor’s. However, Dr. Sharif Abdus-Salaam has a particular passion for complex joint replacements, focusing on patients who may have previously been deemed unsuitable for surgery due to obesity.