Arthritis treatment usually starts without surgery — options like over-the-counter pain relievers, anti-inflammatory medication, using a cane, or avoiding painful activities can help for a while.As arthritis progresses, though, even everyday tasks like short walks, putting on shoes, or getting dressed can become painful — and that pain can take a toll emotionally as well as physically.The good news: hip and knee replacements are highly successful surgeries. Recovery takes time, but most patients return to an active, pain-free life, with better mobility and overall health.

One way to measure a procedure's value is comparing its cost to the quality years of life it adds. While the surgery itself isn't cheap, the improvement to quality of life is significant and long-lasting — which is why, overall, it's considered a low-cost intervention relative to its benefit.Most patients also see improvements in their general health and sense of well-being. In fact, 9 out of 10 patients say they'd have the same surgery again.

There's no single right answer — it depends on factors like:Your general healthTime you can take away from workFamily commitmentsHow much recovery time you can plan for Most people decide it's time when hip or knee pain starts interfering with everyday life — whether that's caring for your home and family or doing your job. Ultimately, this is a personal decision you'll make together with your surgeon.

Hip and knee arthritis typically causes two kinds of problems: pain and mechanical symptoms (like locking, buckling, clicking, or grinding).Some patients live with pain, swelling, and stiffness for years before considering surgery. Others seek care once mechanical symptoms start affecting their safety at home or work.The longer arthritis progresses, the stiffer the joint tends to become — which can make surgery more difficult, lengthen recovery, and increase the amount of physical therapy needed. In severe cases, waiting too long may mean full joint flexibility never fully returns, even after surgery.

Dr. Shirley employs the most advanced robotic technologies to perform total and partial knee replacement surgery.Dr. Shirley is trained in the direct anterior approach, robotic hip replacement, and computer aided hip replacement surgery.

About 9 out of 10 hip and knee replacements are still working well after 20 years. How long yours lasts depends on factors like age and activity level — younger, more active patients tend to wear out a replacement sooner, while older, less active patients often see theirs last longer.

Most patients feel significantly better by 6 weeksThe skin incision typically heals in 2 weeksFull internal healing (including scar tissue softening) can take up to a year — so improvement continues well after physical therapy ends