Your Joint Options / When to Consider Knee or Hip Replacement Medically reviewed by Charles A. DeCook, MD · September 24, 2026
SURGERY IS PART OF THE PICTURE
Keeping your life movingmay mean a new surface. When other care no longer meets your needs, a surgical evaluation can help.
YOUR JOINT OPTIONS + JOINTVOYAGE
Find your next step. One Fit assessment helps guide your starting path: nonsurgical options, a surgical evaluation, or a closer look.
THE SHORT VERSION · 30 SECONDS
Where does my Fit result lead? One assessment. A clearer next conversation.
Silent visual explainer · captions included
Read the explanation Start with your symptoms and goals. Your Fit result helps guide the next conversation. Explore nonsurgical care, surgical evaluation, or further review. Urgent symptoms need prompt care. Your clinician confirms treatment suitability. Watch on its own page and read the transcript ↗
When is an evaluation useful? When moderate-to-severe symptoms remain after non-operative care and you have chosen an indicated replacement, ACR/AAHKS conditionally recommend proceeding without a required trial of more PT, anti-inflammatories, or injections. Medical optimization still matters.
Read the ACR / AAHKS timing guideline ↗ Specialist review knee
Realign the leg to shift the load.
WHO MAY BENEFIT Selected people with one-sided wear and correctable alignment.
THE EVIDENCE Specialist option for selected anatomy
Understand this option ↗ Costs, coverage & FDA status Illustrative cash: No verified provider quote
Medicare: Coverage may apply; individual criteria must be checked.
May be paid when medically necessary and coverage criteria are met.
FDA status: Procedure · implants regulated separately A surgical procedure; implants have product-specific regulatory status.
Site summary of FDA information · reviewed September 19, 2026. Refer to current product labeling. This is not an FDA endorsement of this site. Specialist review hip
A different implant operation. Still surgery.
WHO MAY BENEFIT A narrow group selected by a specialist after films and risk review.
THE EVIDENCE Highly selective implant procedure
Understand this option ↗ Costs, coverage & FDA status Illustrative cash: No verified provider quote
Medicare: Coverage may apply; individual criteria must be checked.
Coverage requires medical necessity and plan review.
FDA status: Product-specific implant approval Specific systems have FDA approvals and selection requirements. Approval does not make everyone a candidate.
Site summary of FDA information · reviewed September 19, 2026. Refer to current product labeling. This is not an FDA endorsement of this site. Established care knee
Replace the worn compartment. Keep suitable healthy parts.
WHO MAY BENEFIT Selected one-compartment knee disease with suitable ligaments.
THE EVIDENCE Established option with strict selection
Understand this option ↗ Costs, coverage & FDA status Illustrative cash: No verified provider quote
Medicare: Coverage may apply; individual criteria must be checked.
Medicare pays when medically necessary and coverage requirements are met.
FDA status: Exact implant must be verified Approved or cleared implant systems exist. Your surgeon explains the exact device and risks.
Site summary of FDA information · reviewed September 19, 2026. Refer to current product labeling. This is not an FDA endorsement of this site. Established care knee
Replace damaged surfaces when the time is right.
WHO MAY BENEFIT Symptoms and joint damage that justify replacement after other care has failed.
THE EVIDENCE Established treatment when symptoms justify surgery
Understand this option ↗ Costs, coverage & FDA status Illustrative cash: No verified provider quote
Medicare: Coverage may apply; individual criteria must be checked.
Medicare pays when medically necessary and coverage requirements are met.
FDA status: Exact implant must be verified Approved or cleared implant systems exist. Your surgeon explains the exact device and risks.
Site summary of FDA information · reviewed September 19, 2026. Refer to current product labeling. This is not an FDA endorsement of this site. Established care hip
Replace damaged surfaces when the time is right.
WHO MAY BENEFIT Symptoms and joint damage that justify replacement after other care has failed.
THE EVIDENCE Established treatment for appropriately selected patients
Understand this option ↗ Costs, coverage & FDA status Illustrative cash: No verified provider quote
Medicare: Coverage may apply; individual criteria must be checked.
Medicare pays when medically necessary and coverage requirements are met.
FDA status: Exact implant must be verified Approved or cleared implant systems exist. Your surgeon explains the exact device and risks.
Site summary of FDA information · reviewed September 19, 2026. Refer to current product labeling. This is not an FDA endorsement of this site. The approach is not the operation. Names such as “Jiffy Knee” describe a marketed approach to replacement. It is still a replacement. A fast discharge plan is a care pathway, not a different operation or a guarantee of recovery.
YOUR NEXT CONVERSATION
Would a specialist’s opinion help? A consultation can help you understand whether surgery belongs in your plan.
These links take you to Total Joint Specialists, a hip and knee replacement practice in Georgia. Confirm appointments, services, and coverage with the practice. Exploring a treatment here does not mean TJS offers it.
A CONVERSATION WITH A SPECIALIST
Meet the surgeons. Explore the professional profiles of Charles A. DeCook, MD and the hip and knee surgeons at Total Joint Specialists.
Contact the practice directly about appointments, services, and coverage. A professional profile is not a personal treatment recommendation. Medical review attribution is shown separately on reviewed pages.