Osteoarthritis is nasty. I have it in my feet, hands, knees, hips, shoulders, and lumbar spine.

Thank goodness for joint replacements. Ive had my big toes fused (bunionectomy), both knees replaced, and will have a hip replaced in January. I got fed up with injections that only provided partial relief for a month or two.

The only surgery I dread is spinal fusion. Im in v good shape, and my back surgeon has told me that my strong core is protecting my lumbar spine.

Like you, I wanted to fix the problem. Joint replacements in the knee, hip and shoulder are common and for the most part, successful.