Joint Replacement and Surgery in Arthritis - Azalea Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Clinic, Tyler, Texas Joint Replacement and Surgery in Arthritis As many as 36 million people in the U.S. have some form of arthritis. Arthritis in its many forms may result in severe crippling, with pain and impaired joint mobility and function.
Treatment varies depending upon the severity of the disease.
Initially the doctor may advise medication. Over the past several years there has been significant improvement in the medicines available. Injections of a cortisone type drug into a painful joint frequently prove to be helpful. Newer forms of medications for injection into arthritic knee joints offer some promise. Patients with severe joint pain and impairment may be candidates for joint replacement surgery.