Understanding joint replacement therapy for rheumatoid arthritis as a woman of color

People of color receive joint replacement surgeries two-thirds less often than caucasian patients. Learn more about the discrepancy.

Transcript

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Hi, Dr. Ortiz. As a woman of color, I'm wondering, is there anything I need to know about joint replacement

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due to my rheumatoid arthritis? [MUSIC PLAYING]

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Thanks so much for asking. That's a great question. Let's just get into it. Inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis

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can sometimes require surgery if nonsurgical treatment has been ineffective. Over the last 30 years, joint replacement surgery

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has become one of the safest and most reliable procedures done in the United States. There are approximately 750,000 knee replacements and over

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450,000 hip replacement surgeries done annually in the US. However, studies have shown that people of color

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receive joint replacements 2/3 less often than white people. A variety of factors may be the cause of this discrepancy, one

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being patient preference. People of color are generally more hesitant to choose a surgery as a form of treatment

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due to concerns of surgery outcome and a lack of knowledge surrounding the procedure and its potential recovery time.

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In addition, joint replacement surgery can often be inaccessible for people of color. Lack of insurance is one reason people of color

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may not be able to access proper treatment. Other factors include socioeconomic constraints, geographic limitations, and fewer orthopedic surgeons

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in minority communities. Nonsurgical treatments are usually considered before surgery. However, there are also discrepancies

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in that area as well. Research shows that Black patients are more likely to be prescribed steroids instead of biologics.

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Biologics are advanced targeted therapies that can be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. While steroids can also treat rheumatoid arthritis,

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there can be long-term side effects like high blood pressure, diabetes, and osteoporosis. By improving patient provider communication,

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providing access to joint replacement information, proper post-op care, and acknowledging disparities in health care, we can better assist people of color,