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Tuesday, 23 December, 2025
For many people living with long-term knee or hip pain, the decision to undergo Joint Replacement doesn’t come easily. Some worry about the surgery itself, while others hope that rest, medicines, or physiotherapy will eventually improve things. It’s also common for people to postpone treatment because of cost or uncertainty about the recovery process.
But orthopaedic specialists are clear about one thing: timing matters more than most people realise. When surgery is delayed for too long, the joint can undergo changes that make everyday life harder and the eventual surgery more complicated. This article breaks down what really happens when treatment is postponed, how to recognise the right time for surgery, and what you can do to prepare if you’re considering it.
Why People Delay Joint Replacement Surgery
Most patients don’t postpone surgery without a reason. Their hesitation often comes from a mix of practical concerns and emotional fears.
1. Fear of the unknown
Surgery can feel intimidating. People often picture long hospital stays or painful recoveries, even though modern techniques have transformed the process. Today, many patients stand and walk with assistance within 24 hours, but this isn’t widely known.
2. Financial worries
It’s natural to think about cost before any major medical decision. What many don’t realise is that delaying surgery can lead to repeated doctor visits, stronger medications, physiotherapy cycles, walking aids, and time lost from work, all of which add up.
3. Hoping pain will settle on its own
Osteoarthritis rarely reverses course. While medication, exercise, and lifestyle changes help with joint pain management, they don’t repair damaged cartilage. This is one of the most common misunderstandings patients have.
4. Confusion about age
Some people feel they’re “too young,” while others think they’re “too old” for surgery. In reality, orthopaedic surgeons base the decision on the condition of the joint, not the patient’s age.
5. Waiting to fix other health issues
Doctors sometimes ask patients to lose weight or stabilise diabetes before surgery, which is reasonable. The problem arises when people continue delaying long after these issues have been managed, allowing the joint to deteriorate further.
All of this contributes to Delaying Joint Replacement, often without patients realising the long-term impact.
Risks of Waiting Too Long
Arthritis doesn’t pause just because you’re waiting. Research from leading orthopaedic organisations shows that the effects of postponing surgery can be significant. Allowing advanced arthritis to progress for too long can lead to:
- More severe joint deformity
- Faster deterioration of bone
- Longer recovery periods
- Less predictable outcomes
Here’s what’s happening inside the body during these delays.
Worsening Joint Damage
As arthritis advances, cartilage thins out and may disappear entirely. Once that protective layer is gone, the bones begin to grind against each other. Over time, this friction reshapes the joint, causing bow-legged or knock-kneed appearances in many patients.
These changes don’t just cause pain. They also make surgery technically more challenging and sometimes require special implants or additional alignment procedures. This is why orthopaedic specialists emphasise the risks of delaying knee replacement for people with severe arthritis.
Reduced Mobility and Pain
When movement becomes painful, you naturally begin doing less. This gradual decline in activity leads to consequences people often overlook:
- Muscles around the joint weaken
- Tendons tighten
- Flexibility reduces
- Balance becomes less steady
- The risk of falls increases
- Not able to carry out routine activities like cooking, going for a short walk
Pain starts affecting more than movement. It can disrupt sleep, limit social activities, and even influence emotional well-being. Many patients describe feeling frustrated or withdrawn simply because daily tasks like climbing stairs or standing for long periods become difficult.
Another issue with long delays is the increased reliance on pain medications. Over time, frequent use of NSAIDs and steroids can lead to stomach problems, kidney strain, or rising blood pressure.
Harder Recovery After Delay
When surgery is done at the right time, most people recover within 6–12 weeks. But if the joint has already reached an advanced stage, with deformity, stiffness, or significant muscle loss, recovery can take considerably longer.
Muscles that have weakened over the years don’t bounce back overnight. Limited flexibility before surgery also makes post-operative rehabilitation more challenging. In many cases, delaying treatment shortens the lifespan of the implant because misalignment places extra stress on the new joint.
When Is the Right Time for Joint Replacement?
Patients often ask, “How do I know if it’s time?” The answer lies in understanding how much arthritis is affecting your life, and what your X-rays reveal.
Orthopaedic doctors suggest considering surgery when:
- Pain persists despite physiotherapy and medication
- Daily activities become difficult
- Sleep is disturbed due to discomfort
- X-rays show significant joint space narrowing
- The leg starts looking bent or uneven
- You feel limited in mobility compared to a year ago
- Rest pain is an important indicator for suffering pain
To make it clearer:
- When it’s too early: Your pain is occasional, manageable, and imaging still shows a healthy amount of joint space.
- When it’s the ideal time: Pain is affecting quality of life, treatment options are no longer working, and arthritis is visibly progressing.
- When it’s too late: There is severe deformity, bone-on-bone arthritis, or major stiffness, making the eventual surgery more complex.
If you’re wondering when to get joint replacement surgery, the best time is usually when the pain begins limiting your lifestyle, not when you can no longer move at all.
How to Prepare for Surgery
Once you and your doctor decide that Joint Replacement is the right step, a little preparation can make a big difference.
- Build muscle strength: Physiotherapists often prescribe exercises targeting the quadriceps, hamstrings, and hips. Stronger muscles help support the new joint and shorten recovery time.
- Manage existing health conditions: If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or weight-related concerns, stabilising them before surgery reduces the risk of complications.
- Eat for recovery: A nutritious diet rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals helps your body heal faster.
- Adjust lifestyle habits: Cutting down on smoking or alcohol improves circulation and speeds up wound healing.
- Get your home ready: Simple changes — like clearing walkways, arranging essential items within reach, or installing support handles — make the first few weeks after surgery much smoother.
- Know your recovery plan: Understanding the physiotherapy schedule, expected milestones, and follow-up appointments helps reduce anxiety and sets clear expectations.
FAQs on Delaying Joint Replacement
Q1. Is it safe to delay knee replacement?
It may be safe to delay for a short time if symptoms are mild. But long delays can lead to worsening arthritis, deformity, muscle weakness, and more complex surgery. Doctors recommend regular evaluations before deciding.
Q2. How do I know if I need surgery soon?
If pain is constant, mobility is decreasing, daily activities feel harder, or X-rays show advanced arthritis, you may need surgery soon. Increasing stiffness or the need for stronger painkillers are also warning signs.
Q3. What happens if arthritis worsens before surgery?
As arthritis progresses, cartilage loss and joint deformity can become severe. This makes the surgery more difficult and recovery slower, often with a reduced range of motion afterwards.
