Arthritis surgeries

Most people with arthritis won’t need surgery but for those who do, surgery can make a huge difference to their quality of life by reducing pain and improving mobility.

If you’re thinking of having surgery you’ll want to give careful consideration to the potential pros and cons – these pages will help you to decide whether surgery is right for you.

• Hand and wrist surgery – The hands and wrists are often affected by arthritis and related conditions, and there are a number of surgical options that can relieve pain and improve hand function. Learn more about the options available and how they can help.
• Hip replacement surgery – Over 70,000 hip replacements are carried out in the UK each year – mostly for osteoarthritis, but also for other types of arthritis. Find out what you can expect from hip replacement or resurfacing.
• Knee replacement surgery – Knee replacement is most commonly recommended for osteoarthritis, but also for inflammatory types of arthritis. Read more about the surgical options available and how a knee replacement might help you.
• Shoulder and elbow joint replacement surgery – Although arthritis is less common in these joints than in the knee or hip, shoulder and elbow joint replacements are well established and highly successful procedures; discover whether you could benefit from a new shoulder or elbow joint.