Things to consider

It is important to consider any negative impact of an operation in terms of potential complications of an operation. Here are some considerations:

• What are the risks of the operation?
• Could the operation make me worse?
• What sort of limitations can I expect after the operation?
• How long will it take to recuperate?
• How long will the benefits of the operation last?
• If the operation went wrong and further surgery was necessary what would this involve and what risks would that secondary intervention impose?
• If I decide not to have the operation will I be making the eventual operation more difficult, ie will I damage the joint further?

You should feel free to ask questions to your surgeon, GP or therapist prior to considering an operation.

Not all patients and surgeons have exactly the same thresholds of advising patients as to when an operation is appropriate. In general terms an operation is considered when other conservative or non-operative measures are no longer effective, when pain starts to become very intrusive or when pain starts to affect sleep and when activity is such that the overall quality of life is compromised.

On the other hand some patients value their activity very highly and may consider to have an operation such as hip replacement at a slightly earlier stage to maintain their functional status, ie to stay at work and to stay active prior to losing their activity (threshold for surgery).