Our orthopedic team will start with an x-ray to see what level of deterioration you are living with. When we find arthritis, patients often ask when they should get the joint replaced. The short answer is that it is a personal decision. Most patients who see our orthopedic surgeon have already been adjusting their lives to deal with the pain for a while — giving up certain activities, moving differently or more slowly or managing the pain with medications. When those lifestyle changes become unacceptable for you, or the pain becomes too much to bear, that’s when you’ll decide to have the joint replaced. A joint replacement also takes commitment. You will want to be ready for that commitment to healing as well.