Do you really need that knee or hip replacement surgery?
Dr. Tony DiGioia’s Joint Effort Second Opinion Program is an informational and educational tool that combines clinical expertise with the latest advances in AI/Machine Learning technology to provide a recommended personalized treatment plan
Studies suggest that upwards of 20-25% of total knee and total hip replacements may be done earlier than recommended.
*See Additional References 1 and 2
Recommended a different option 60% of the time
A recent study highlights that patients who sought a second opinion for knee or hip arthritis received a different recommendation in up to 60% of the time.
Been told you don’t need joint replacement—but pain is still holding you back?
With Dr. D and the Joint Effort Second Opinion, we assess your arthritis using existing X-rays, understand how pain affects your daily life, and help you identify the treatment options best suited to you.
Timing Matters
Patients who undergo TJR too early may not gain the expected significant improvements in their pain relief and mobility and are less satisfied with their outcomes after surgery. In some cases, they may actually have worse outcomes.
Better Preparation = Better Outcomes
Patients who are better prepared for their TJR surgery have faster recoveries and better outcomes.
Been told you don’t need joint replacement—but pain is still holding you back?
There may be alternative options for you other than TJR - including home exercises, physical therapy, lifestyle changes, special injections and newer cryotherapy, as well as other alternative pain management programs.
“When performed at the right time, total joint replacement (TJR) can be a positive, life-changing experience – helping to relieve pain and return you to an active lifestyle.
However, like any surgery, there must be a collaborative partnership between your goals and providers’ knowledge, that weighs the risks and benefits of TJR.”
- Dr. DiGioia.
Joint Effort is designed with the patient in mind!
Dr. DiGioia has designed this program as a shared decision-making and informational tool to support the partnership between you and your providers in determining the best treatment plan just for you.
Simple and Accurate
Completely online and easy step by step instructions
Convenient
Done from the comfort of your home
Supported
We make the process easy and straightforward
Affordable
Provided for a flat fee introductory offer of $100
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How it Works
Watch a quick video that guides you through the simple steps on how to submit an evaluation!
Haven’t seen a doctor for your knee or hip pain yet?
If you have hip and knee pain and would like to have an in office evaluation in the Western PA area, please call Dr. DiGioia’s office at 412-683-7272 for an appointment and mention the Joint Effort Second Opinion program.
If you live outside the area, Dr. DiGioia recommends that you make an appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon in your area.
To prepare for your first doctor’s visit and learn theoptimal way to evaluate knee and/or hip pain from arthritis, go to: https://jointiq.co/.
We also recommend that you review the necessary x-rays that you should get as part of an evaluation and go to: https://www.jointai.co/xray.
If you any questions at all about whether you are acandidate for the Joint Effort Second Opinion program, just email us at Dr.Tony@jointai.co!
Additional References
J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2020 Jan 13;102(6):468–476. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.19.00432.
Mandl, L. A. Nat. Rev. Rheumatol. advance online publication 12 March 2013; doi:10.1038/nrrheum.2013.27.
Weigl M, Pietzner J, Kisch R, Paulus A, Jansson V, Grill E. Effects of a medical second opinion programme on patients' decision for or against knee arthroplasty and their satisfaction with the programme. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2021 Jun 28;22(1):595. doi: 10.1186/s12891-021-04465-5. PMID: 34182959; PMCID: PMC8240280.
Riddle DL, Jiranek WA, Hayes CW. Use of a validated algorithm to judge the appropriateness of total knee arthroplasty in the United States: a multicenter longitudinal cohort study. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2014 Aug;66(8):2134-43. doi: 10.1002/art.38685. PMID: 24974958; PMCID: PMC4190177.
