Reclaim Your Life: Understanding Joint Pain

December 8, 2023

Joint pain limits mobility and can significantly impact the overall quality of life.  In a recent conversation with Timothy Gibbons, MD, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Mason City Clinic, we discussed joint pain, specifically in knee, hip, and shoulder joints. Dr. Gibbons shed light on the relationship between osteoarthritis and joint function and offered valuable insight for those considering joint replacement surgery to ease their pain.

The Devastating Impact of Osteoarthritis:

Osteoarthritis is the common culprit behind joint pain. Dr Gibbons describes the effect of osteoarthritis on the joints: “It’s like driving down a once smooth road that has now transformed into a bumpy gravel path. The smooth gliding surface of the joint erodes, leading to inflammation, pain, and a gradual loss of motion.”

Osteoarthritis can affect all joints. When degenerative arthritis takes hold in knee, hip, and shoulder joints, it compromises functionality, and can cause relentless pain that disrupts people’s lives.

The Decision to Pursue Joint Replacement Surgery:

Dr. Gibbons said that opting for an artificial joint is a significant decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. When considering any type of surgery, patients should consider their personal circumstances, the benefits as well as the risks of surgery, and the recovery process. 

Ultimately it boils down to a pivotal question: Is the pain and functional compromise so severe that the risks associated with joint replacement are justified? According to Dr. Gibbons, patients reach a point where they realize, “I am done suffering. I deserve something better.”

Joint Replacement in Knees, Hips, and Shoulders:

Joint replacement in the knees, hips, and shoulders involves replacing the worn-out joint surfaces with a combination of metal and plastic components. Typically, the more active you are post joint replacement, the longer and more satisfying your life becomes.

Each joint presents its unique challenges and recovery trajectories.

• Shoulders: A relatively straightforward recovery process, shoulder replacement proves to be the easiest to rehabilitate. The absence of the weight-bearing burden facilitates quicker progress. In six months, patients often find themselves on autopilot, reclaiming their lives and enjoying a 90% return to normalcy after just six weeks.
• Hips: While hip replacement might be the most significant of the three operations, the recovery journey is comparatively very manageable. Dr. Gibbons suggests that hip arthritis, though limiting, is less hindering than knee arthritis. The rehabilitation process allows patients to regain their stride and resume an active lifestyle.
• Knees: Positioned between shoulders and hips in terms of the operation’s magnitude, knee replacement is undoubtedly the most challenging to overcome. Dr. Gibbons acknowledges the frequency of knee replacements and the crucial role of therapy in achieving rehabilitation goals within specified timelines.

The Expertise of Mason City Clinic Orthopedic Surgeons:

The Mason City Clinic orthopedic surgeons have extensive training and experience. Their collective knowledge, coupled with thousands of joint replacements, underscores their commitment to providing transformative care.

If you have unrelenting pain that keeps you up at night and we replace it and we take away that pain, it literally gives you your life back.” 

Tim Gibbons, MD, Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon

For those grappling with unrelenting pain, the promise of an artificial joint is not just a medical intervention; it’s a chance to live fully, sleep peacefully, and rediscover the joy of movement.

If you or a loved one would like to explore your joint pain options and/or see if joint replacement surgery may be right for you, schedule a consultation with one of our board-certified orthopedic surgeons by calling 641-494-5210 today.