Mayo Clinic Health System
  • Patient Online Services
  • Pay Bill Online
  • Request an Appointment
    • Services
    • Providers
    • Locations

      Minnesota

      • Adams
      • Albert Lea
      • Austin
      • Belle Plaine
      • Blooming Prairie
      • Butterfield
      • Caledonia
      • Cannon Falls
      • Fairmont
      • Faribault
      • Janesville
      • Kenyon
      • Lake City
      • Le Sueur
      • Mankato
      • Montgomery
      • New Prague
      • New Richland
      • Northfield
      • Owatonna
      • Plainview
      • Red Wing
      • Sherburn
      • St. James
      • St. Peter
      • Waseca
      • Waterville
      • Wells
      • Zumbrota

      Wisconsin

      • Arcadia
      • Barron
      • Bloomer
      • Chetek
      • Chippewa Falls
      • Eau Claire
      • Ellsworth
      • Glenwood City
      • Holmen
      • La Crosse
      • Menomonie
      • Mondovi
      • Onalaska
      • Osseo
      • Prairie du Chien
      • Rice Lake
      • Sparta
      • Tomah

      Iowa

      • Decorah
      • Lake Mills

      View map
    • Classes/Events
    • Blog
    • Wellness
    • Referrals
    • COVID-19
    • Request an Appointment
    • Patient Online Services
    • Pay Bills Online
    • Refer a Patient
    Posted By
    Scott Perkinson MD

    Scott Perkinson, M.D.

    Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedics

    Recent Posts

    • woman sitting holding knee
      Speaking of Health
      Troubled by knee arthritis but not ready for knee replacement? Here are 5 alternatives
      March 28, 2018
    Featured Topics
    • Behavioral Health
    • Cancer
    • Children's Health (Pediatrics)
    • COVID-19
    • COVID-19 Vaccine
    • Exercise and Fitness
    • Heart Health
    • Men's Health
    • Neurosurgery
    • Obstetrics and Gynecology
    • Orthopedic Health
    • Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery
    • Women's Health
    Join our email newsletter
    Doctor's Orders
    Thursday, March 30, 2017

    Function better with less pain: When to consider total joint replacement for arthritis

    Scott Perkinson MD

    There is a wide variety of nonsurgical treatment options for mild and moderate arthritis, but once the damage is severe enough, it may be time to consider total joint replacement.

    What is osteoarthritis?

    Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition of the joints where the cartilage surfaces of the bones are damaged. It is the most common form of arthritis. There is a wide variety of nonsurgical treatment options for mild and moderate arthritis, including medications, physical therapy, exercise, weight loss, cortisone injections and hyaluronic acid injections also known as rooster comb. Once the damage is severe enough, the bones of the joints make contact with each other, which can cause debilitating pain and loss of function. When this happens, it may be time to consider a total joint replacement.

    What does a joint replacement involve?

    A total joint replacement is a procedure commonly done for knee, hip and shoulder arthritis. It involves replacing the damaged joint surfaces with a combination of metal and plastic parts. For hips and shoulders, this typically involves a socket combined with a ball and stem. For knees, this involves specially shaped metal components with a piece of plastic between them acting as a cushion. These new parts allow the new joint to function fully without pain.

    When is the time right to consider a joint replacement?

    If your arthritis is severe and you otherwise are in good health, you likely are a candidate for a total joint replacement. The best candidates for joint replacement include patients who:

    • Have severe osteoarthritis
    • Have found the nonsurgical treatments mentioned above to be ineffective
    • Can’t participate in the activities they once enjoyed because of arthritis
    • Are not happy with their quality of life due to debilitating arthritis symptoms
    • Are willing to participate in a post-operative rehabilitation program

    Want to learn more about joint replacements?

    Joint replacement surgery should only be considered when other treatment methods have proven to be ineffective, and your body is healthy enough for surgery. To learn more about total joint replacement surgery or treatment of arthritis, please schedule a consultation with an orthopedic provider.

    Scott Perkinson, M.D., is an orthopedic surgeon who sees patients in Owatonna and Faribault, Minnesota.


    For the safety of our patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was either recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in a non-patient care area where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed.
    Topics in this Post
    • Arthritis
    • Orthopedic Health

    Related Posts

    Couple walking dog on grassy hillside Joint replacement: Not your grandfather’s surgery
    Mara Olson Hip replacements mean Mara Olson can walk pain-free again
    Riding bicycle wearing helmet Advanced options for knee, hip replacement: Not your grandfather's surgery

    Stay Connected

    • Contact Us
    • Notice of Nondiscrimination
    • Notice of Privacy Practices
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • About Us
    • Careers
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
    • For Patients & Visitors
    • Financial Assistance
    • Community Resources
    • Mayo Clinic Connect
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Press Room
    • Mayo Clinic
    • Home
    © 2018 - 2022 Mayo Clinic Health System