You may be a good candidate for the surgery if you have:
Arthritis
Chronic joint pain
Loss of joint function
A traumatic joint injury
Certain bone defects or bone cancer
Older people generally make better candidates, as younger, more active people tend to wear out artificial joints sooner.  Dr. Klatt adds that if you’re considering surgery, you should make sure you’ve addressed factors that could increase the risk of infection or complications, such as obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, and smoking. “People are surprised to find we don’t do a hip or knee replacement on someone who smokes.” But your medical team is there to help you conquer those lifestyle challenges too, Dr. Klatt notes. “If you have a problem, it’s our problem.”  To learn more about your joint replacement options, visit UPMC Orthopaedic Care or call 1-866-987-6784 to make an appointment.