The hip and knee joints are some of the most critical joints in the human skeleton, responsible for maintaining balance and carrying out everyday tasks. Any disorder or damage in these joints can cause acute pain and discomfort, sometimes calling for medical intervention.

Venkat Rapuri, M.D., orthopedic surgeon and physician on the medical staff at Texas Health Arlington and Orthopedic Medicine Specialists, a Texas Health Physicians Group practice, shares five signs that now may be the right time to schedule an appointment with a joint care surgeon.

1. Inability to Carry Out Routine Tasks

Experiencing pain even while doing simple tasks such as bending to take off shoes and socks, walking or sleeping.

2. Persistent Joint Pain That Doesn’t Subside

Suffering with chronic joint pain for more than six months when performing basic, everyday tasks or relying on pain relief medications in order to complete the tasks.

3. Diminished Wellbeing

Your mental and emotional health is being impacted by joint pain because it is making it difficult to enjoy the things you love, such as spending time with family and friends. Or you’re pushing yourself to join in group activities with the thought that you’ll pay for it and recover later.

4. Your Lifestyle Is Being Impacted

Your job or favorite hobbies require physical activity and joint pain is interfering.

5. Home Remedies Aren’t Working

Rest, ice and over-the-counter medications, such as aspirin or turmeric, aren’t effective in managing your joint pain.

What’s Next

Your joint care begins with a conversation at Texas Health. “I always like to talk to my patients to understand how joint pain is truly impacting their lives,” Dr. Rapuri explains. “If patients are laying down activities that they enjoy, such as taking a nightly walk with their pets or getting on the floor to play with their grandkids, we discuss this. It’s hard to pick up activities again, especially as we age. So rather than stopping or modifying an activity due to joint pain, we can establish a care path that ranges from non-surgical options to joint replacement, depending on what’s causing a patient’s joint pain.”

If you’re experiencing any or all of these signs from your joint pain, now could be a good time to schedule an appointment with a joint care surgeon. Physicians on the medical staff of Texas Health hospitals listen to you discuss your joint pain and learn about you and your lifestyle to create a personalized care plan, centered on a conservative approach. Find a joint care specialist today to start this discussion about your joint pain and learn more about some of the non-surgical and surgical options designed to get you back to doing what you love.