Aching joints have a way of shrinking your world. Stairs get harder. Long walks get shorter. Standing up from a chair turns into something you have to think about. When hip or knee pain starts limiting the things you used to do without a second thought, it may be time to talk with a physician about your options.
You would not be alone. Hip and knee replacements are among the most common orthopedic procedures in the country, with more than one million performed in the United States each year, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. For many people, a joint replacement is what finally puts an end to years of daily pain.
This guide walks through what causes hip and knee pain, when a replacement may make sense, what the surgery and recovery involve, and how the Hip and Knee Replacement Program at North Central Surgical Center Hospital supports patients from the first visit through recovery. Think of it as a companion to the education videos on our website.
Understanding Hip and Knee Joint Pain
A healthy joint is built to move smoothly. Cartilage, the firm and slippery tissue that covers the ends of your bones, lets them glide against each other without pain. Over time, that cartilage can wear down. When it does, bone can rub against bone, which leads to pain, stiffness, and swelling.
Osteoarthritis, the gradual wearing down of cartilage in the joint, is one of the most common reasons people need a hip or knee replacement, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Other causes include rheumatoid arthritis, past injuries, fractures, avascular necrosis, and cartilage damage. Whatever the cause, the result is often the same: a joint that no longer moves the way it should.
Signs It May Be Time to See a Physician
Joint pain does not always point to surgery. But some symptoms are worth getting checked. Pay attention if you notice:
- Pain that limits walking, climbing stairs, or getting in and out of a chair
- Stiffness that does not ease up
- Swelling around the joint
- A grinding or bone-on-bone feeling
- Pain when you put weight on the hip or knee
- Pain that continues even while resting or that keeps you up at night
If any of these sound familiar, a physician can help you understand what is going on and talk through the options that fit your situation.
Nonsurgical Options Usually Come First
Joint replacement is an elective procedure, and it is typically considered only after other treatment options have been tried. In many cases, physicians start with nonsurgical approaches, which may include:
- Weight management to reduce stress on the joint
- Low-impact activity such as walking, swimming, or cycling
- Physical therapy to build strength and improve motion
- Anti-inflammatory medication to help manage pain and swelling
- Injections or assistive devices such as a cane or brace, depending on the joint
For many people, these steps provide real relief. When they no longer control the pain, and the joint keeps getting in the way of daily life, a total joint replacement may be worth discussing.
Is Joint Replacement Right for You?
There is no single answer that applies to everyone. The decision to move forward with a joint replacement is one you make together with your physician, based on how much the pain affects your daily life, what your imaging shows, your overall health, and your goals.
Depending on the joint and the extent of the damage, your physician may talk with you about a total replacement, in which the whole joint is resurfaced, or a partial replacement, in which only the damaged portion is addressed. Your care team will walk you through which approach fits your anatomy and your needs.
What Happens During Joint Replacement
During the procedure, the damaged cartilage and bone are removed and replaced with an implant made of metal, plastic, or ceramic. The new joint is built to move like a natural one. The goal is to reduce pain and restore motion so you can get back to your routine.
Before surgery begins, a member of the anesthesia team will review your options with you. Common choices include general anesthesia or a spinal, epidural, or regional nerve block, in which you remain awake but numb from the waist down. Your care team will help you decide which type is right for you.
A hospital stay after joint replacement is often one to a few days, depending on your recovery. Some procedures are done on an outpatient basis, which means you go home the same day. Your surgeon will discuss the plan with you ahead of time so you know what to expect.
The Hip and Knee Replacement Program at North Central Surgical Center Hospital
North Central Surgical Center Hospital built its Hip and Knee Replacement Program around one idea: coordinated care from admission through discharge and aftercare. A multidisciplinary team follows evidence-based protocols at every step.
The program has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Advanced Certification in Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement. To earn it, the hospital demonstrated ongoing compliance with performance standards covering patient involvement in decisions, full-continuum care coordination, patient safety, and emergency management.
The program includes:
- Patient optimization to prepare each patient’s health before surgery
- Pre-op education so patients know what to expect
- Daily interdisciplinary rounding by the care team
- Staff education to keep the team current
- A standardized clinical pathway that keeps care consistent
- Performance improvement tracking across mandatory and elective measure sets
Preparing for Surgery
Preparation makes a real difference in how recovery goes. Once you and your physician decide on surgery, you will have several weeks to get ready, both physically and at home. A few things you can do ahead of time:
- Follow any pre-surgery guidance from your care team on activity, medication, and general health
- Set up a recovery space on one level, with the items you use most within easy reach
- Remove throw rugs and secure loose cords so nothing trips you up
- Choose a firm chair with a higher seat and, if helpful, a footstool for elevating your leg
- Consider a shower chair, grab bars, a raised toilet seat, and a long-handled reacher
- Arrange for someone to help around the house during the first few weeks
Attending a hip and knee replacement class is one of the most useful steps you can take before surgery. More on that below.
Free Hip and Knee Replacement Classes
North Central Surgical Center Hospital offers free classes to help patients get ready for joint replacement surgery and understand what comes next.
When: Mondays at 10:00 a.m.
Where: 9301 N. Central Expressway, Tower II, Suite 675 (6th Floor), Dallas, TX 75231. Drinks are provided.
Remaining 2026 class dates:
- September 7 and 21
- October 5 and 19
- November 2 and 16
- December 14 and 28
How to register:
- Sign up online through the hospital’s Eventbrite page
- Or reserve your spot by phone: Melissa Chism at 214.365.8358 or LaToya Randle at 214.365.8375
In-person attendance is encouraged so you can ask questions and engage directly with the team. If you cannot attend, an education video is available. Register online to view it before your surgery.
What Recovery Looks Like
Recovery starts early. Soon after surgery, patients begin walking short distances and doing light activities, which helps the joint regain strength and movement. Physical therapy usually begins the day of or the day after surgery, and it is one of the most important parts of the process.
Before you head home, your care team will want to see that you can:
- Get in and out of bed on your own
- Manage your pain at an acceptable level
- Eat, drink, and use the bathroom
- Walk with a cane, walker, or crutches on a level surface and handle a few stairs
- Do the home exercises you have been given, and understand any movement precautions
From there, recovery is gradual. Many people return to their usual daily activities about three to six weeks after surgery, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, though full recovery can continue to improve over the course of a year. Your care team will tell you when it is safe to drive again, which generally means once you can sit comfortably, your reflexes have returned, and you are no longer taking medication that can make you drowsy. Returning to work can take anywhere from several days to several weeks, depending on your job and how your recovery goes.
Your new joint will let you get back to most of the activities you enjoy. Many people are encouraged to shift toward lower-impact options, such as walking, swimming, or cycling, rather than high-impact activities like jogging or jumping, to protect the joint over the long term.
Understanding the Results and How Long It Lasts
Most patients handle daily activities more easily after surgery, and the results tend to last. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, more than 90 percent of total knee replacements are still working well 15 years after surgery. Data from the American Joint Replacement Registry point to similarly low long-term revision rates for hip and knee implants.
It helps to keep expectations realistic. A joint replacement may reduce pain and restore a great deal of motion, but some people do not regain full range of motion, and recovery asks for patience and effort. The payoff for that effort is often a real return to the activities that matter to you.
Safety and What to Watch For
Complications after joint replacement are uncommon, but it is worth knowing the signs. Early movement and the exercises your team gives you help lower the risk of blood clots. After you go home, contact your care team if you notice increasing redness, swelling, warmth, or drainage around the incision, a fever, or new pain in the calf, since these can be signs of a problem that is easier to address early. Your care team will review these warning signs with you before discharge.
Questions to Ask Your Physician
Coming to your appointment with a few questions ready can help you get the most out of it. You might ask:
- Am I a candidate for a partial or a total joint replacement?
- What nonsurgical options are still worth trying in my case?
- Will my procedure be inpatient or outpatient?
- What does the recovery timeline look like for someone in my situation?
- How should I prepare my home and my schedule?
- What kind of physical therapy will I need, and for how long?
Ready to Talk With a Physician?
If hip or knee pain is getting in the way of the life you want to live, the care team at North Central Surgical Center Hospital is here to help. Meet the physicians and find the right fit for your care at northcentralsurgical.com/team.
Sources
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoInfo), Total Joint Replacement — https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/total-joint-replacement/
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoInfo), Total Knee Replacement — https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/total-knee-replacement/
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoInfo), Total Hip Replacement — https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/total-hip-replacement/
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoInfo), Activities After Total Knee Replacement — https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/recovery/activities-after-knee-replacement/
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoInfo), Activities After Total Hip Replacement — https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/recovery/activities-after-hip-replacement/
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Joint Replacement Registry 2024 Annual Report — https://www.aaos.org/aaos-home/newsroom/press-releases/american-joint-replacement-registry-surpasses-4-million-captured-hip-and-knee-arthroplasty-procedures/
- The Joint Commission — https://www.jointcommission.org/
North Central Surgical Center Hospital, Hip and Knee Replacement Program — https://northcentralsurgical.com/hip-and-knee-replacement-program/