Authors

Dr Keran Sundaraj MBBS, MSc (Trauma), FRACS, FAOA

The right time to consider joint replacement is when your pain and symptoms are starting to interfere with the life you want to lead, and you feel ready to do something about it.

For some people, the tipping point is work - they simply can’t do their job any longer, and surgery can be genuinely life-changing. For others, it’s recreational: they can no longer walk the golf course, exercise, or enjoy the activities that matter to them. At the other end of the spectrum are patients who tolerate pain for a long time and only consider surgery when even basic daily tasks, like walking from the bedroom to the bathroom, become difficult.

There is no single ‘right’ moment. It is a personal and highly individual decision. My advice is always to take your time, weigh things up carefully, and proceed with surgery when the timing feels right for you. It is always best to wait for as long as possible before considering surgery.