Majority of the population around the world is suffering from joint pain. Unfortunately, this pain only increases with time making a vital issue amongst all groups. It is an effective procedure that helps in constructing artificial cap in the joints to allow it to retrieve back to its original condition. Unlike temporary pain relieve treatments, Joint Replacement Procedure is a surgical method to bid your goodbyes to joint pain permanently. Apart from helping with joints deformities and joint injuries, joint replacement is also popular amongst the more elderly population of the society who are getting fond of the idea of getting it.

Knee and hip replacement surgeries are the most common procedures performed by surgeons around the world. But these replacement surgeries can also be conducted on other joints, like elbow, shoulders, ankle, and wrist.

Reasons for Joint Pain

Joint pain can be caused due to several factors that can lead the patient to consider getting joint replacement surgery. In many cases, the pain in the joint is caused due to the cartilage (the lining in between bones) damage, fracture or any other condition.  

Patient finding next to zero percent relief in nonsurgical treatments to permanently relieve the pain or the disability, by getting a joint replacement surgery.

Others causes that might lead to Joint Pain include:

•    Obesity

•    Diabetes

•    Low Calcium

•    Unhealthy Lifestyle

Joint Replacement Procedures

Complete Joint Replacement Surgery can take a few hours depending on the joint which is being operated. In this surgical procedure, the damaged bone or cartilage is extracted and is replaced with a prosthetic modal or plastic compound. These prosthetic mimics the structured of the natural joint so that the movement of the joint does not tamper.

Example: While performing an arthritic hip replacement, the damaged end of the upper femur is replaced with a metal ball that is attached with a metal sum which is placed in the femur. And in the end pelvis’s damaged socket is replaced with a plastic socket.

Procedure

The patient is given small doses of anaesthesia to allow him/her to become unconscious. Then a cut is formed in the joint where the surgery needs to be performed. Then the size of the prosthetic modal is analysed to ensure that it fits correctly in the patient. Then the surgeons extract the damaged bone or cartilage from the joint. Once the damaged cartilage has been removed, the new orthopaedic prosthetic is placed in the joint.

Usually, the patient can take around two or three weeks to heal properly. But they are advised to take it easy for a few months to allow the joint to heal internally.

Your doctor will discuss the potential risks of surgery beforehand, that will allow you to make the decision accordingly. Common complication faced because of joint replacement might include blood clots, infection, nerve injury, acute pain, and prosthesis problem including dislocation or loosening.

Apart from the information provide by us, we also recommend readers, considering to get a joint replacement to ask the following questions, as each patient has a different case file:  

1.    Based on your age and case history is it safe for you to get the surgery?

2.    How long will I have to stay in the hospital?

3.    How much time will my body take to heal depending on my age?

4.    Is there any other than getting a surgery way for you to get relief?

5.    Is it necessary to get therapy after the surgery?

6.    Are there any things that I am not allowed to do after the surgery?

Explore Medmonks.com and learn about different types of joint replacement procedures.