Are joint replacements always necessary?

[crimson]

As the question suggest is this really necessary?

[kageyd]

Seems to me as though many people posting here have had RA for years, and have not had joint replacements -- but it could be that more joint replacements might alleviate more of peoples' pains. I'm so new to RA I don't really have a perspective on it. It used to be that knee and hip replacements of any kind were rare, and now they are a dime a dozen (well, they cost more than a dime!!). Kageyd

[naturelover]

This joint replacement is adviced and done for elders, even if they are not RA's. Because by last year my friends father had knee joint replacement operation and it was very expensive. He is not a RA. I think depending upon the patient condition this surgery is undertaken.