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"Watching my dad in pain because of his hip and knee was as hard as anything I’ve come across on the course...
...That’s why I told him not to wait to take the first step."
Shane Lowry | Pro golfer and caregiver
Shane Lowry is an Irish professional golfer who competes on both the PGA TOUR and European Tour, and is a caregiver to his father Brendan, a knee and hip joint replacement recipient.
The importance of caregivers
Research shows that waiting too long to seek treatment for joint pain can impact mobility and lower quality of life.1
Is someone close to you living with joint pain? Tee them up to speak with a healthcare professional to better understand their symptoms and different treatment options. Non-surgical approaches can help decrease joint pain. If these approaches don’t lessen the pain, you’ve still got options. As a caregiver, you help move lives forward.
Support from family and caregivers can make a meaningful difference in recovery and outcomes following a joint replacement.2-4
Check out the Caddie’s approach to caregiving and download the caregiver guide below:
The Caddie’s approach to caregiving
Use this checklist to help your loved one take the next steps with confidence and support throughout their journey.
1. Step up to the tee
- Acknowledge joint pain isn’t something they need to push through
- Talk openly about needing help
- Take the first step, even if you don’t have all the answers yet
2. Choose the right club
- Speak with a healthcare professional about your symptoms
- Knee
- Hip
- Discuss treatment options, including non-surgical approaches such as physical therapy, exercise and other conservative treatments
- Understand whether seeing a specialist may be appropriate
3. Line up the shot
- Ask your questions
- Knee
- Hip
- If non-surgical treatments have not provided sufficient relief, discuss whether surgery may be an appropriate option
- Prepare for surgery if your loved one and healthcare professional agree to a surgery
4. Walk the course together
- Recovery is a shared journey, walk it together — physically and emotionally
- Be present through recovery milestones
- Encourage small day-to-day wins
There’s no perfect round.
You’re on par when you’re preparing confidently and supporting thoughtfully.
Take the steps to help support their treatment journey and recovery.
References:
- Cooper GM, Bayram JM, Clement ND. The functional and psychological impact of delayed hip and knee arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 89,996 patients. Sci Rep. 2024;14(1):8032. Published 2024 Apr 5. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-58050-6
- Wallis JA, Gearon E, Naylor J, et al. Barriers, enablers and acceptability of home-based care following elective total knee or hip replacement at a private hospital: A qualitative study of patient and caregiver perspectives. PLoS One. 2022;17(8):e0273405. Published 2022 Aug 24. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0273405
- Wylde V, Kunutsor SK, Lenguerrand E, Jackson J, Blom AW, Beswick AD. Is social support associated with patient-reported outcomes after joint replacement? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Rheumatol. 2019;1(3):e174-e186. doi:10.1016/S2665-9913(19)30050-5
- Singh J, Saag K, Lemay C, Allison J, Franklin P. Effect of Family Support on Short-and Intermediate Term Pain and Function Outcomes after Knee or Hip Replacement. Abstract Number 64 American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting 2014. November 14-19, 2014. Boston, MA.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT HIP & KNEE REPLACEMENT
Hip joint replacement is intended for use in individuals with joint disease resulting from degenerative and rheumatoid arthritis, avascular necrosis, fracture of the neck of the femur or functional deformity of the hip.
Knee joint replacement is intended for use in individuals with joint disease resulting from degenerative, rheumatoid and post-traumatic arthritis, and for moderate deformity of the knee.
Joint replacement surgery is not appropriate for patients with certain types of infections, any mental or neuromuscular disorder which would create an unacceptable risk of prosthesis instability, prosthesis fixation failure or complications in postoperative care, compromised bone stock, skeletal immaturity, severe instability of the joint, or known or suspected sensitivity and/or allergy to any material in the device.
Like any surgery, joint replacement surgery has serious risks which include, but are not limited to, pain, infection, bone fracture, change in the treated leg length (hip), joint stiffness, hip joint fusion, amputation, peripheral neuropathies (nerve damage), circulatory compromise (including deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the legs)), genitourinary disorders (including kidney failure), gastrointestinal disorders (including paralytic ileus (loss of intestinal digestive movement)), vascular disorders (including thrombus (blood clots), blood loss, or changes in blood pressure or heart rhythm), bronchopulmonary disorders (including emboli, stroke or pneumonia), heart attack, and death.
Implant related risks which may lead to a revision of the implant include dislocation, loosening, fracture, nerve damage, heterotopic bone formation (abnormal bone growth in tissue), wear of the implant, metal and/or foreign body sensitivity, soft tissue imbalance, osteolysis (localized progressive bone loss), audible sounds during motion, reaction to particle debris, and reaction to metal ions (ALTR). Hip and knee implants may not provide the same feel or performance characteristics experienced with a normal healthy joint.
The information presented is for educational purposes only. This information does not constitute medical advice from a medical practitioner. Speak to your doctor to decide if joint replacement surgery is appropriate for you. Individual results vary and not all patients will return to the same activity level. The lifetime of any joint replacement is limited and depends on several factors like patient weight and activity level. Your doctor will counsel you about strategies to potentially prolong the lifetime of the device, including avoiding high-impact activities, such as running, as well as maintaining a healthy weight. It is important to closely follow your doctor's instructions regarding post-surgery activity, treatment and follow-up care. Ask your doctor if a joint replacement is right for you.
Stryker Corporation or its other divisions or other corporate affiliated entities own, use or have applied for the following trademarks or service marks: Stryker. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners or holder.
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