Arthritis Self-Management

Arthritis isn't as common in the ankles as it is in joints such as the knees and hands. But when arthritis does affect the ankles, it can make even the simplest of activities difficult to perform. One possible treatment is surgery, which may involve fusion of the bones in the ankle or a total ankle replacement.

You get a new joint...and then what? Should you take it easy? Or is it finally time to learn ultimate jujitsu and run that double marathon? A new joint should give you decreased pain and increased mobility, but you're not Steve Austin. Well, probably not.

Joint implants can wear out, but getting a joint replaced a second time is a bit more complicated than just doing the whole thing over again. The bones involved are older and, because of the first implant, there's less bone to work with. Find out what makes so-called "revision" surgery different and how you can make sure yours goes smoothly, or even avoid one altogether.

As the popularity of weight-loss surgery surges, questions have arisen over its safety and appropriateness. Although weight-loss surgery can bring about dramatic weight loss, it has many potential side effects and requires difficult behavioral commitments from those who choose to undergo it.

It may be time for a total hip replacement when medicine, physical therapy, and self-management strategies no longer control your hip pain or enable you to be as mobile as you want. But what can you do to ensure you’re up, moving, and pain-free as soon as possible? Here’s how to make your recovery go smoothly.

If your shoulder or elbow joints are stiff and sore, you may find it hard to get a good night’s sleep, to reach high objects and get dressed, or carry out tasks of daily living. There are many ways to treat shoulder and elbow pain, but in the most serious cases, surgery may be the best option.

When arthritis strikes the hands or wrists, it can change how they look, cause pain, and make it difficult for us to do things we’ve taken for granted, from opening a door to grasping a cup of coffee to working at a computer. If treatment doesn't provide adequate relief, or if the arthritis has affected the position of the fingers or wrist so that the hand can’t function well, surgery may be the answer.

Millions of Americans have surgery each year, for a variety of reasons. Some procedures are simple, requiring short hospital stays, and others are more complex. If you are considering elective surgery — that is, surgery that is planned rather than done on an emergency basis — you'll want to do your homework before going ahead.