There have been significant advancements in the field of joint replacement surgery during the past few decades. It used to take weeks for patients to walk after significant surgery, but this is no longer the case. Read on to find out more about the procedure and the advantages it offers people who have not found relief from other means.
What is a Joint Replacement?
There are numerous places in your body where two or more bones come together to form a joint. A hinge joint can bend and straighten, while a ball-and-socket joint (such as your shoulder) fits the rounded end of one bone into the flat end of another. The cartilage that lines the ends of bones, known as articular cartilage, can become damaged and fragile over time for many people.
Joint replacement surgery is performed to alleviate pain and restore the injured joint to a more normal state of function and mobility. Surgeons remove damaged joints and tissues, which can subsequently be replaced with a prosthetic limb. Replacement surgery for joints such as the hip, knee and shoulder can also be done on the fingers, ankles and elbows if necessary.
What Are the Advantages of Having a Joint Replaced?
Recuperation and function are common outcomes for people who have undergone joint replacement surgery. After undergoing surgery at a fitness center, patients who have previously participated in low-impact sports are more likely to be able to resume their activities.
For a good recovery after surgery, it is critical that patients receive physical therapy and follow an organized recovery plan. Joint replacement surgery results and speed of recovery depend on:
- level of activity just prior to surgery
- overall well-being
- before surgery, the degree and duration of physical disability
- the type of procedure
- a positive outlook on healing and a desire to succeed
When Should You Consider Joint Replacement?
Patients with joint pain do not usually turn to joint replacement surgery as a first resort. There are many treatment methods that can be tried, including medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes. If none of the non-surgical options work and you continues to suffer from functional decline and incapacitating pain, your doctor may suggest joint replacement.
Partially vs. Completely Replacing a Joint
Joint replacement can be divided into two categories: complete and partial. The terms “partial replacement” and “complete replacement” refer to the replacement of the injured cartilage with a prosthesis in the case of partial joint replacement. Although partial joint replacements are less invasive and require less recuperation time, the cartilage and bone damage from partial joint replacements is often too great, necessitating a full joint replacement. Both forms of surgery may necessitate physical or occupational therapy to ensure that the joint has properly recovered.
Is the Recuperation Painful?
Before you know it you’ll be back to your normal routine with physical therapy. It is possible that some patients will be discharged from the hospital in three to five days, while others will need more time in order to complete physical therapy and prepare for independent living. During the post-op period, there are a number of physical restrictions aimed at preventing the prosthesis from being dislocated. The patient must be steadfast in his or her commitment to the workout routine and the constraints imposed on him or her. When the surgeon exits the operating room, his or her work is done. At this moment, the patient’s treatment is only begun.
