<< Return to previous page

When Is Joint Replacement Surgery Not Appropriate?

Even though joint replacement surgery may be an effective way to minimize or eliminate joint pain, your doctor may decide that surgery is not appropriate for you. Some reasons could include:

  • You have an infection or a history of infection
  • You don't have enough bone, or the bone is not strong enough to support a new joint
  • You have injured nerves in your joint
  • You have injured or nonfunctional joint muscles
  • Your joint is severely unstable
  • Your bones are not fully grown or developed
  • You have noticeable bone loss or a severe decrease in bone mass (osteoporosis)
  • Your joint has been previously fused and is stable, functional, and painless
  • You have rheumatoid arthritis and active/history of skin lesions (due to increased risk of infection)

If you are concerned about any of these topics, talk to your doctor about pain relief alternatives to joint replacement surgery.

All content herein is protected by copyright, trademarks and other intellectual property rights, as applicable, owned by or licensed to Zimmer Biomet or its affiliates unless otherwise indicated, and must not be redistributed, duplicated or disclosed, in whole or in part, without the express written consent of Zimmer Biomet.  
Not all products shown herein are available in all regions; check for product country clearances and reference product-specific instructions for use.
Talk to your surgeon about whether joint replacement or another treatment is right for you and the risks of the procedure, including the risk of implant wear, loosening or failure, and pain, swelling and infection. Zimmer Biomet does not practice medicine; only a surgeon can answer your questions regarding your individual symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.