Is it possible to wait too long to have a joint replaced?

Yes. Usually when an arthritic joint begins deteriorating to the point where there is excessive pain or the patient is bone-on-bone, the joint should be replaced as soon as possible. Waiting can make the eventual joint replacement surgery more complex, resulting in the possibility of more post-op pain and a longer recovery. In the case of a bone-on-bone hip, the joint may actually collapse, resulting in tremendous pain and an emergency surgery. As a joint continues to decline, a person becomes less mobile, has difficulty sleeping because of pain, suffers a lower quality of life, and is at increased risk for a fall and serious injury. The pain of a deteriorating joint may become chronic, meaning that it never fully resolves. Chronic pain can cause depression and affect other areas of life and health such as the ability to exercise or engage in desired activities. It can result in reduced muscle strength that makes post op therapy more challenging. When a joint is failing, your body compensates for pain and bone loss by readjusting its alignment. This can occur slowly over time, but eventually it will begin to cause problems in the spine and other joints. Even after a successful surgery, those who waited to have a joint replaced may have lower function levels and higher rates of dissatisfaction with their surgeries. Keep in mind that pre-operative function can predict post-operative performance. The worse off you are before surgery, the less likely you are to be able to return to full normal functionality in the joint.