If you suffer from severe rheumatoid arthritis you may feel a hip or knee replacement will give you the relief you crave.
But beware; these types of surgeries can bring with them their own risks.
All forms of arthritis can result in irreversible damage to the joints and replacing these damaged joints sounds like an answer to sufferers’ problems.
But researchers have discovered that patients with rheumatoid arthritis could face a whole raft of issues by going under the surgeon’s knife.
A study, carried out by researchers at the University of Toronto, looked at the number of patients experiencing complications who also suffered from rheumatoid arthritis.
Previous studies had only looked at complications in the surgery on patients with osteoarthritis, but the researchers were keen to compare the two.
Reviewing medical records and data, the researchers found that patients who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis are more than twice as likely to suffer a dislocation, following a total hip replacement, than someone with osteoarthritis.
They also found that the number of incidents of infection among knee replacement patients was higher in those with rheumatoid arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the body despite there being no threat. Healthy tissue around the joints is attacked and this causes inflammation and joint pain. Over time it can lead to irreversible damage.
Osteoarthritis is a condition related to the aging process. Over time the wear and tear on joints causes the erosion of the cartilage between the bones and the bones rub together causing lasting damage and making the ligaments and muscles supporting the joint weak.
Patients suffering from both could benefit from joint replacement, but you need to weigh up the risks before pursuing the surgery route for pain relief.