5 Things to Know About Joint Replacement- Dr. Vishwajeet Chavan
5 Things to Know About Joint Replacement
If you experience unbearable pain in your knee, shoulder, or thigh, and physiotherapy and medication no longer help, not everything will go away. There are ways to help!
Whether full or partial replacement, surgery involves removing the damaged joint and placing the prosthesis. While hip and knee replacements are commonly known surgeries, hip, wrist, shoulder, and elbow joints can also be replaced.
The decision to perform joint replacement surgery should be taken very seriously and in consultation with a doctor. Before leaving the operating room, you need to perform many tests and check your overall health.
1. What Condition Triggers a Joint Replacement Option?
In many cases, joint pain is caused by damage to the cartilage that lines the ends of the bones (articular cartilage) – from arthritis, a fracture, or other condition.
Be a candidate for total joint replacement if you have not been successful with non-surgical treatment, including:
- Medicines
- physical therapy
- change your daily routine
2. What Exactly Happens During the Surgery?
Damaged cartilage and bones are removed from your joint and replaced with prosthetic components made of metal, plastic or ceramic.
The shape and function of the prosthesis mimics a natural joint. For example, in an arthritic hip, the injured ball (upper end of the femur) is replaced by a metal ball attached to a metal rod attached to the femur and a plastic sleeve attached to the femur. damaged. socket.
3. What Are the Risks?
Every operation has risks such as infection, blood clot and nerve damage. While integrated replacement devices are much more advanced today, there is a possibility of release or dislocation.
Today, more advanced surgical and postoperative procedures reduce these risks. However, the cumulative exchange is considered to be the main operation. Therefore, you and your doctor should carefully examine and agree on your expectations of the outcome.
4. How Long Will It Take to Recover?
Your ability to use your new joint will depend on your ability to overcome postoperative pain and how long your tissues heal. Your age, weight and overall health are also factors.
After the operation, you can expect:
- Physical therapy to increase range of motion and improve overall regeneration.
- The pain gradually disappears within a few weeks.
- Exercise regimen to improve joint strength.
5. What Is the Long Term Prognosis of Replaced Joints?
Significant progress has been made today in the quality and strength of prosthetic joints. You can expect the tool to last for many years – which means you should be in more painful and have a better quality of life. Fifteen years ago, more than 90% of modern knee replacements still work well.
