Arthritis Today shares advice for those whose joint replacement surgery has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s a very difficult decision to decide to get hip or knee replacements,” says Mathias P. Bostrom, MD, chief of the adult reconstruction and joint replacement service at HSS, who recognizes that a postponement may feel like a setback since the patients are now ready to move forward. “And now [with social distancing], throw in that you’re isolated, and it is very frustrating.”

Dr. Bostrom advises to be patient and to try to manage the pain as much as possible. “Trying to maintain some exercise is so critically important,” he adds.

Dr. Bostrom says that the good news is that any unexpected delay will not result in long-term damage. “It’s unlikely that you are going to make [your arthritis] worse by waiting one, two or even three months; your pain will be worse, but not the outcome of the operation,” he explains.

Read the full article at Arthritis.org.