Getting ready to see the doctor about
joint replacement to relieve your pain? It's a good idea to consider,
in advance, how you'd answer certain kinds of questions your doctor will
ask.
Ask yourself:
- Where is your pain located? Please specify. (Examples: knee, hip,
shoulder). Does more than one joint hurt?
- When did the pain first begin?
- What caused it (if known)?
- Has the pain gotten worse recently? If so, is it more severe, does
it occur more often, or both?
- Does your pain get worse, or occur more often, when you do weight-bearing
activities (example: walking), when you're at rest, or at night?
- What makes your pain worse? (Examples: walking, standing, carrying)
- What makes it better? (Examples: resting the joint, medication)
- Are you taking any medication for the pain? It's helpful to make
a list of what you're taking (both prescription and non-prescription
medications) to show to your doctor.
- Are you taking any dietary supplements? Here, too, a list can be
both informative and time-saving. (Examples: vitamins or other "pills"'
for arthritis, such as chondroitin or glucosamine)
- Do you limp because of the pain? If so, do you use a walking aid
such as a cane or crutch?
- How far can you walk without support? With support?
- Can you climb stairs comfortably without assistance? Do you need
to go very slowly and carefully?
- How physically active are you?
- What tests have previously been done to evaluate your joint pain?
Of course, your doctor will also ask questions about your medical
and health history - be sure to bring with you as much of this information
as possible. Being ready with the answers to most or all of these questions will
make your visit go more smoothly. It will also help you focus on what
the doctor tells you about joint replacement. |
This Resource Center gives you general
information for considering joint replacement as an option for relieving
your pain. The questions below take you a step further, providing a way
for you to discuss this procedure – as it applies to you and your pain
– with your doctor. Print out these questions and take them along on
your doctor visit:
- Are there any other pain relief options for me that could work
as well as joint replacement?
- If I have joint replacement, how much will it relieve my pain?
- How is the procedure done?
- What do you do to manage the pain after the surgery?
- What are the risks or complications of joint replacement?
- How long will I be in the hospital – and how soon after having
the procedure can I get back to normal daily activities?
- Is joint replacement covered by my health insurance?
- After the procedure, will I continue to see you or my regular doctor
for follow-up care?
- If I decide to have joint replacement, which manufacturer's product
do you think will be best for me? Why?
- If I have joint replacement, will you perform my surgery? How many
of these procedures have you performed?
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