Arthroplasty is a surgical procedure to replace some or all of a joint. Healthcare providers also call it joint replacement surgery or joint replacement. A surgeon will remove the worn-out or damaged parts of your natural joint and replace them with an artificial joint (a prosthesis) made of metal, plastic or ceramic.
I.ls joint replacement a major surgery?
Arthroplasty, also known as joint replacement, is a major surgery in which an artificial joint is installed to replace an existing damaged joint. The prosthesis is made of a combination of metal, ceramic, and plastic. Typically, an orthopedic surgeon will replace the entire joint, called a total joint replacement.
If your knee is severely damaged by arthritis or injury, it may be hard for you to perform simple activities, such as walking or climbing stairs. You may even begin to feel pain while you are sitting or lying down.
If nonsurgical treatments like medications and using walking supports are no longer helpful, you may want to consider total knee replacement surgery. Joint replacement surgery is a safe and effective procedure to relieve pain, correct leg deformity, and help you resume normal activities.
Total knee replacement surgery was first performed in 1968. Since then, improvements in surgical materials and techniques have greatly increased its effectiveness. Total knee replacement is one of the most successful procedures in all of medicine. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, more than 700,000 total knee replacements are performed annually in the U.S.
Whether you have just begun exploring treatment options or have already decided to have total knee replacement surgery, this article will help you understand more about this valuable procedure.
II.How long does it take to recover from joint replacement surgery?
It usually takes around a year to recover fully after a knee replacement. But you should be able to resume most of your usual activities six weeks after surgery. Your recovery time will depend on several factors, including your: Activity level before surgery
Short-term Recovery
Short-term recovery involves the early stages of recovery, such as the ability to get out of the hospital bed and be discharged from the hospital. On days 1 or 2, most total knee replacement patients are given a walker to stabilize them. By the third day after the surgery, most patients can go home. Short-term recovery also involves getting off major pain killers and having a full night’s sleep without pills. Once a patient no longer needs walking aids and can walk around the house without pain–in addition to being able to walk two blocks around the house without pain or resting–all of these are considered signs of short-term recovery. The average short-term recovery time for a total knee replacement is about 12 weeks.
Long-term Recovery
Long-term recovery involves the complete healing of surgical wounds and internal soft tissues. When a patient can return to work and the activities of daily living, they are on the way to achieving the full term of recovery. Another indicator is when the patient finally feels normal again. The average long-term recovery for total knee replacement patients is between 3 and 6 months. Dr. Ian C. Clarke, medical researcher and founder of Peterson Tribology Laboratory for joint replacement at Loma Linda University, writes, “Our surgeons consider that patients have ‘recovered’ when their current status has improved much beyond their arthritic pre-operative pain level and dysfunction.”
There are a number of contributing factors that influence recovery time. Josephine Fox, the BoneSmart.org knee replacement Forum Lead Administrator and nurse of over fifty years, says that a positive attitude is everything. Patients should be prepared for diligent work, some pain and an expectation that the future is going to be bright. Having access to information about knee replacement surgery and a strong support network is also important to recovery. Josephine writes, “Many small or large issues crop up during recovery, from a pimple near the wound to an unexpected and unusual pain. In these times it is good to have a support network to turn to and get timely feedback. Somebody out there has very likely experienced the same or similar and the ‘expert’ will have a word as well.”
III.What is the most common joint replacement surgery?
If you have severe joint pain or stiffness - Total Joint Replacement Surgery may be for you. The knees, hips, ankles, shoulders, wrists, and elbows can all be replaced. However, hip and knee replacements are considered the most common.
Artificial Disc Replacement
About eight percent of adults experience persistent or chronic back pain that limits their ability to perform everyday activities. Artificial disc replacement is often an option for patients with lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD) or a severely damaged disc causing that pain. In disc replacement surgery, the damaged discs are replaced with artificial ones to alleviate pain and strengthen the spine. Typically, they are made of a metal outer shell with a medical-grade plastic interior.
This is one of several surgical options for people suffering from severe spinal issues. A relatively new procedure, lumbar disc replacement may be an alternative to fusion surgery and is often considered when medication and physical therapy haven’t worked.
Hip Replacement Surgery
If you suffer from severe hip pain and non-surgical methods haven’t been successful in managing your symptoms, you may be a candidate for hip replacement surgery. The hip joint resembles a ball-and-socket, in that the rounded end of one bone sits in the hollow of another one, allowing for a rotation movement. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and a sudden or repetitive injury are all common causes of persistent pain that can only be eliminated with surgery.
A hip replacement (“hip arthroplasty”) involves replacing the femur (head of the thighbone) and the acetabulum (hip socket). Typically, the artificial ball and stem are made of a strong metal and the artificial socket of polyethylene – a durable, wear-resistant plastic. This operation requires the surgeon to dislocate the hip and remove the damaged femoral head, replacing it with a metal stem.
Knee Replacement Surgery
The knee joint is like a hinge that enables the leg to bend and straighten. Patients sometimes opt to have their knee replaced after it has been so severely damaged by arthritis or injury that they are unable to perform basic movements like walking and sitting. In this type of surgery, an artificial joint composed of metal and polyethylene is used to replace the diseased one. The prosthesis can be anchored into place with bone cement or covered with an advanced material that allows bone tissue to grow into it.
The Total Joint Clinic at MidAmerica Orthopaedics specializes in these types of surgery. Out team ensures that several steps occur before such a serious procedure would take place. A knee specialist will first conduct a thorough examination that includes assessing your knee ligaments through a variety of diagnostics. As with the other joint replacement surgeries, both the patient and physician must be in agreement that this procedure is the best option for regaining as much functionality of the knee as possible.
Shoulder Replacement Surgery
Like the hip joint, a shoulder replacement involves a ball-and-socket joint. The artificial shoulder joint can have either two or three parts. This is because there are different approaches to shoulder joint replacements, depending on which part of the shoulder needs to be saved:
1.A metal humeral component is implanted in the humerus (bone between your shoulder and elbow).
2.A metal humeral head component replaces the humeral head at the top of the humerus.
3.A plastic glenoid component replaces the surface of the glenoid socket.
Replacement procedures tend to restore joint function significantly and reduce pain in the vast majority of patients. While the expected life of conventional joint replacements is difficult to estimate, it is not unlimited, however. Some patients may benefit from ongoing advances that increase the lifetime of prostheses.
No one should ever feel rushed into a serious medical decision such as joint replacement surgery. The award-winning physicians and joint replacement specialists at MidAmerica’s Total Joint Clinic can inform you about the different treatment options available to you. Visit us online or call (708) 237-7200 to make an appointment with one of our specialists to get started on your road to a more active, pain-free life.
VI. How long does it take to walk normally after knee replacement?
Most patients can start walking while still in the hospital. Walking helps deliver important nutrients to your knee to help you heal and recover. You can expect to use a walker for the first couple of weeks. Most patients can walk on their own roughly four to eight weeks after knee replacement.
Post time: Nov-08-2024
