Joint Replacement

Do you have chronic joint pain? Do your joints click, click, click every time you move? If you answered ‘Yes’ to these questions it is possible you may need a joint replacement.

Joint replacement is one of the most impressive achievements in the history of orthopedic surgery.

Presently more than 750,000 hip and knee surgeries are performed every year. Joint replacement is an elective surgery and commonly used for hips and knees. Over the last 50 years, many great improvements have been made in the design, manufacturing, and implantation of man-made hip joints, giving an increased percentage of successful long-term outcomes. With all the improvements made to joint replacement implants most are estimated to last a approximately 15 years.

Options before Surgery

Your doctor will try a variety of medications most often including anti-inflammatory medications (aspirin or ibuprofen), gold shots, Methotrexate, Imuran and natural substances like glucosamine & chondroitin to ease pain and reduce swelling around the joints prior to surgery being considered. it is often recommended that patients use a cane/walker while walking, decrease physical activity, lose weight if necessary, join a water exercise program and do range of motion exercises. If the pain and swelling does not significantly decrease joint replacement may be the only option.

During & After Surgery

Orthopedic surgeons can replace a painful, dysfunctional joint with metal alloys, high-grade plastics, and polymeric materials making a very functional, long-lasting prosthesis. During the surgery the patient will be under general, epidural or spinal anesthesia. After surgery patients stay in the hospital for three to seven days resting and working with a physical therapist and an occupational therapist to regain their strength and mobility and to learn how to protect their new joints from unnecessary wear and tear.

Risks

With every surgery there are risks and possible complications. If you have a disease that interferes with blood clotting or if you have any lung, heart or kidney problems you may be at risk undergoing general anesthesia. Other things to think about are your physical condition before surgery, how bad your arthritis is, and what joint replacement surgery you'll be having.  Nerves in the area of the total joint replacement could possibly be damaged during the surgery. But this is rare and the nerves often improve over time and may completely recover. If you have concerns do not hesitate to talk to your surgeon or your anesthesiologist.

Joint replacement surgery is on the increase and can be attributed to baby boomers who would like to keep an active lifestyle. Also young athletic patients who repetitively injure their joints are experiencing an earlier onset of osteoarthritis that impacts their daily lives which in return will result in more joint replacement surgeries.