In this episode of Thompson On-Air, host Dave Carro sits down with orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Nicholas Valente to explore what really happens when you stop “just living with” joint pain and start considering hip or knee replacement as a way to regain your quality of life. Dr. Valente walks through what is actually replaced in a joint, how modern implants and surgical techniques (including robotic-assisted options) have evolved, and why waiting too long can quietly shrink your world by limiting the activities and relationships you enjoy. He discusses how to know when it might be time for surgery, the non-surgical treatments often tried first, and what patients can realistically expect from the first days of recovery through the critical weeks of physical therapy. The conversation also addresses common fears and myths around age limits, same-day discharge, pain medications, and restrictions after surgery, emphasizing that the best outcomes come from shared decision-making with a trusted surgeon and a rehab plan tailored to the life you want to get back to living.

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