Joint pain usually doesn’t start all at once. It often begins with sore knees after a walk, a stiff shoulder that makes it hard to reach overhead, or a painful hip that makes everyday tasks more difficult. Over time, the pain may get worse and make it harder to work, stay active, or sleep through the night.
Most people don’t need surgery right away. Many joint problems can be treated with physical therapy, medicine, injections, or other nonsurgical treatments. But if those treatments no longer help, joint replacement surgery may be the best option.
At CRMC, our orthopaedic team starts with the least invasive treatment and works with you to find the best solution for your needs and goals.
Signs It May Be Time for Joint Replacement
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, you may benefit from a joint replacement if you have:
Joint pain that doesn’t improve with physical therapy, medicine, or injections
Pain that keeps you awake or happens even when you’re resting
Stiffness that limits your movement
Swelling that doesn’t go away
Trouble walking, climbing stairs, reaching overhead, or doing everyday activities
If joint pain is keeping you from doing the things you enjoy, it’s time to talk with an orthopaedic specialist.
What Causes Joint Damage?
The most common reason people need a hip, knee, or shoulder replacement is osteoarthritis. This condition slowly wears away the cartilage that cushions your joints. Other causes include:
Rheumatoid arthritis
Past injuries or broken bones
Avascular necrosis
Severe shoulder injuries
More than 32.5 million adults in the United States live with osteoarthritis. Every year, more than one million people have hip or knee replacement surgery.
Expert Orthopaedic Care Close to Home
You don’t have to travel far for advanced orthopaedic care. CRMC offers one of Minnesota’s most complete rural orthopaedic programs. Our team includes fellowship-trained specialists in:
Hip and knee replacement
Shoulder surgery
Hand and wrist surgery
Foot and ankle surgery
Spine care
We also offer rehabilitation, injections, minimally invasive procedures, and joint replacement surgery, all in one place.
“What makes our orthopaedic team different is that patients aren’t just seeing a surgeon—they’re supported by an entire team focused on getting them back to the life they want to live,” said Adam English, CNP, Clinical Director of Orthopaedics at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center.
“Our surgeons, advanced technology, and coordinated care team work together to make the process as simple as possible. We focus on finding solutions and helping patients move forward. That means patients can receive the same high level of care they would expect from a large medical center while staying close to home.”
Adam English
Nationally Recognized Care
CRMC is recognized for providing high-quality orthopaedic care. In 2023, CRMC became Minnesota’s first and only Critical Access Hospital to earn DNV Orthopedic Center of Excellence designation in four specialties:
Advanced Hip & Knee Replacement
Advanced Shoulder Surgery
Advanced Spine Surgery
Advanced Foot & Ankle Surgery
Our team also uses advanced technology, including the VELYS™ Robot-Assisted Solution for knee replacement and computer navigation for spine surgery. These tools help surgeons perform procedures with greater accuracy.
Last year, CRMC’s orthopaedic team cared for more than 22,500 patients and performed more than 2,100 orthopaedic surgeries.
Don’t Let Joint Pain Slow You Down
If hip, knee, or shoulder pain is keeping you from living the life you want, we’re here to help. The CRMC orthopaedic team will work with you to find the right treatment so you can move with less pain and get back to doing the things you love.
Call 866-362-0873 to schedule an appointment and learn more about your treatment options.
Sources: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
