When should prosthetic surgery be considered for joint diseases

This question, which our patients do not ask but receives different answers from every doctor, truly confuses us. Most of the time, doctors decide on the surgery time based on factors such as the patient's age, overall health condition, joint range of motion, and daily activity level. However, the only person who must make the decision is the patient themselves. Neither doctors, nor family, nor close friends should make the decision; they should only support the patient in making their decision. Joint diseases are like the condition of a car's wheels. A car with non-functional wheels cannot go to get gas, cannot be cleaned, or be taken to the mechanic.

It is left aside, where it molds and decays. Humans are the same way. If they don't walk, they won't get hungry; if they don't eat properly, their nutrition won't be healthy; if they don't wash, they won't feel refreshed; if they don't go to the hospital, they won't regain their health. If they withdraw to the sidelines, they will quickly decline wherever they retreat to. Just as a car without tires sways from side to side on its rims and makes noise while driving, so too does a person suffer miserably from pain. Their quality of life deteriorates. Their morale suffers, they cannot lose weight due to inactivity, and their joints deteriorate more rapidly. Therefore, they should not delay in regaining their health.

References:

• European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy (ESSKA). Consensus Statements on Knee Osteoarthritis and Joint Replacement.

• International Society for Arthroplasty Registries (ISAR). Annual Report on Joint Replacement Outcomes.

• T.C. Ministry of Health. Patient Rights Regulation and Informed Consent Guide.

• The Lancet. Osteoarthritis: A Global Public Health Challenge (Review Article).