Joint replacement surgery is generally performed when other forms of treatment, including physical therapy and medications, do not effectively reduce symptoms. This type of surgery removes damaged or diseased parts of a joint.

If conservative treatments fail to reduce an individuals chronic pain, orthopedic surgeons can decompress a nerve root, enlarge your spinal canal (laminectomy), stabilize segment(s) of the vertebra (fusion) or reduce a deformity (scoliosis).