Joint Replacement
What is joint replacement surgery?
Joint replacement, a surgical procedure to remove and replace an arthritic
or damaged joint with an artificial joint (called a prosthesis), may be considered
only after other treatment options have failed to provide adequate relief from pain and/or
disability.
Currently in the US, there are more than 300,000 joint replacement procedures performed
each year -- most often involving the hip and knee, with total joint replacement of the
ankle, elbow, shoulder, and fingers performed less often.
When preparing for joint replacement surgery:
As with any surgery, there are some pre-operative considerations to keep in mind.
These include, but are not limited to, the following. Consult your physician for more
specific pre-operative planning for your individual condition and type of joint
replacement surgery.
Items to consider:
autologous blood donation
Donating your own blood before surgery ensures a matched source of blood if needed during
or after surgery.
exercise
Our bodies tend to heal and regain function faster when they are in good physical and
cardiovascular condition.
medication
Before the surgery, discuss with your physician the medications you are currently taking.
Some may need to be temporarily discontinued until after the surgery. Only this
determination can be most appropriately made by your physician or orthopaedist.
discharge planning
As with any surgery, be sure to discuss discharge planning with your physician
beforehand. Your discharge plan may include instructions on how to take care of the wound
dressings, what medications to take, what exercises to do, and other home care
instructions.
rehabilitation
Persons who have received a total joint replacement can still lead functional,
active lifestyles. One major component of many rehabilitation programs is exercise -- to
restore function, mobility, and strength to the affected joint and surrounding muscles.
Discuss with your physician what an appropriate post-operative rehabilitation program
should include.
What are the possible complications associated with joint replacement
surgery?
Although joint replacement surgery is successful in 90 percent of cases,
complications may still occur, including:
- infection around the prosthesis
- malfunction of the prosthesis (may be caused by wear and tear, breakage, dislocation, or
loosening)
- nerve injury (although rare, nerves in the surrounding area may become damaged during
the surgery)
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