AARP Magazine reports on the changes of how hip and knee replacement procedures are performed, and how to determine if you are the right candidate for surgery, according to experts.

AARP Magazine spoke to Mathias P. Bostrom, MD, chief of Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement Service at HSS, who explained surgery is warranted if x-rays show significant arthritis or other joint problems and the patient is symptomatic. “A lot of people have bad X-rays but they're functioning fine,” said Dr. Bostrom. In this case, it's generally safe to hold off on surgery. However, Dr. Bostrom noted, “If your X-ray looks horrible and you're functioning fine, let's leave well enough alone. On the other hand, if your X-ray looks bad and you are waking up at night, walking less and less, and not doing the things you want to do, then it's probably time to fix it."

Dr. Bostrom discussed the recuperation time, and a patient’s return to regular activities. “Our patients return to work in about 30 to 40 days,” he said. Furthermore, Dr. Bostrom added that most patients who undergo hip replacement generally have a faster, less painful return to regular activities. “The majority of them forget they had their hip replaced after a while,” he cited.

Read the full text article at AARP.org.