Millions of men and women undergo joint replacement procedures every single year, and while the operation and recovery protocol will be largely the same, it would be wrong to not at least acknowledge the different challenges each gender faces when it comes to joint health and replacement surgery. We’re going to break it all down in today’s blog on how joint health and shoulder replacement surgery varies between the sexes.
Men, Women and Joint Replacement
Neither sex is immune from some of the challenges that tend to predominantly affect the other sex more often, so although we will focus on some issues that may be more pertinent among one sex, know that these issues need to be considered when determining the best course forward, regardless of the sex of the patient. Let’s start by looking and some joint concerns that are more common among women.
Joint Challenges For Women
Generally speaking, conditions that affect the health of our joints tend to be more common in women, especially postmenopausal women who are dealing with changes in hormone production. For example, arthritic conditions like osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis are more common among women, which can serve to negatively impact the joint and its nearby structures. Both men and women should work to stave off the effects of arthritis as they get older, but this is especially true for women over the age of 55.
Another joint-related issue that tends to affect women is how they approach pain and discomfort in a large joint like their shoulder, hip or knee. Research has found that women tend to be less likely to approach a doctor or an orthopedic surgeon about their joint discomfort at an earlier stage. While they may feel that it is a noble way to approach pain, it’s not the best choice for their long-term health. Putting off proactive treatment when a condition is in an earlier and more treatable state can prevent the need for more invasive measures down the road. Women may be more likely to wait until discomfort has progressed to the point where surgery is now the only viable option. Make it a point to bring up any new joint discomfort, even if it is only mild in nature, to your physician at your annual physical.
Joint Challenges For Men
Men are more likely to undergo a joint replacement procedure, so it stands to reason that there are some gender-based reasons at play. Although the workforce is evolving, men still tend to have a higher percentage of workers in physically demanding fields. Construction workers, loggers, roofers and other manual labor jobs typically skew more towards men, and the physical impact of these jobs will eventually be felt in their shoulders and other large joints. Workplace demands are a driving force behind the reason that men undergo more joint replacement procedures each year than women.
Another gender-based reason is tied to weight. Again, speaking in generalities here, men tend to be larger and heavier than women, and this extra weight on the joints can serve to break them down faster. While Body Mass Index is less of an issue in a joint like the shoulder, a higher BMI can certainly increase a person’s risk of eventually needing hip or knee replacement surgery. Both sexes should strive to keep their weight in an ideal range so as not to increase their risk of joint damage and deterioration.
Whatever individual joint issues you’re facing, Dr. Holloway and his team want to help you overcome them. Let us find the right treatment for your shoulder discomfort. Whether that’s with a personalized physical therapy program or a minimally invasive procedure, we’re here for you. For more information, or to connect with Dr. Holloway’s office, give us a call today at (865) 410-7887.
