10 Signs You Need a New Joint

Everyone has joint pain from time to time, but how do you know when it's time to bite the bullet and replace a joint? Faculty from the Harvard Medical School say that joint replacement might be appropriate if one or more of the following apply to you: 

1. You are unable to complete normal daily tasks without help.
2. You have significant pain daily. 
3. Pain keeps you awake at night despite the use of medications. 
4. Nonsurgical approaches, such as medications, the use of a cane, and physical therapy, have not relieved your pain. 
5. Less complicated surgical procedures are unlikely to help. 
6. Pain keeps you from walking or bending over. 
7. Pain doesn't stop when you rest. 
8. You can't bend or straighten your knee, or your hip is so stiff that you can't lift your leg. 
9. You are suffering severe side effects from the medications for your joint symptoms. 
10. X-rays show advanced arthritis or other damage. 

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