Who should not have joint replacement surgery

When should joint replacement NOT be considered

Dr Tony Dunin, Orthopaedic Surgeon 

There are a number of patients where joint replacement surgery may not be the best option. If there are significant medical problems, it may be too risky to undergo surgery. Joint replacement surgery is elective surgery things go well most of the time, but things can go seriously bad too and if you're smoking, I think that really you have the operation unless you stop smoking because it dramatically increases the risks of all sorts of complications including infection, blood clots, pneumonia. So, I've had several patients who I've encouraged to stop smoking and fortunately they've given it up for life and that's been an extra bonus for them.