Signs It's Time for
Hip or Knee Replacement

Hip and knee replacement is generally considered when joint pain significantly limits daily activities and nonsurgical treatment no longer provides adequate relief. There's no age cutoff — candidacy is based on your symptoms and how much pain is limiting your daily life, not a number on a birth certificate.

• Pain that limits walking, stairs, or daily activities
• Stiffness or swelling that doesn't improve with rest
• Pain that persists at rest or interrupts sleep
• A noticeable limp, or reliance on a cane or walker
• Pain that hasn't responded to nonsurgical treatment — physical therapy, medication, or injections

Surgery isn't always the first step. Many patients try nonsurgical treatment — physical therapy, medication, injections — before considering joint replacement. Dr. Pallitto reviews these options with every patient first, and surgery is only recommended when it's the right fit for you.