A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine shows that joint replacement relieves symptoms in older people with osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common causes of pain and disability in the knees and hips of older people, and joint replacement surgery relieves pain and restores function.
The study assessed 174 patients over 65 with OA of the knee or hip whose symptoms weren't controlled by conservative treatment. Symptoms and function were measured over 12 months, and at 6 weeks, 6 months and 12 months after surgery. The average age was 75; 76% were women, 69% had knee OA and 31% hip OA.
Over the 12 months, 29% had joint replacement. None died; 17% had complications after surgery and 38% had pain lasting more than four weeks. On average it took 12 days to walk independently and 49 days to manage housework.
The total WOMAC score (a measure of OA pain, stiffness and function) improved by 24 points in patients who had surgery, against 0.5 points in those who didn't.
So better communication between doctors and their older patients may help patients decide on surgery once they understand its benefits for pain relief and daily life.
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