Who Needs a Joint Replacement Surgery (Arthroplasty)?
Orthopedic specialists recommend joint replacement surgery to patients when all conservative method of treatment (mentioned below) fail to provide any relief from pain. However,in some cases Orthopedic surgeons are likely to recommend arthroplasty when:
- Joint discomfort is not relieved by non-surgical methods such as rest, physical therapy (PT), medication, bracing, injections, and others.
- Stiffness in joints and restricted mobility make performing daily activities challenging or impossible.
- Inflammation or swelling doesn't go away after taking medicine or changing lifestyle.
Which are the types of arthroplasty?
As discussed earlier, most joints in the human body can be removed and replaced with artificial ones. The need for arthroplasty or joint replacement arises when someone damages their joints due to accidents or due to arthritis such as osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) and rheumatoid arthritis. While knee and hip replacement surgery is the most common surgery performed, arthroplasty can also be done on ankles, elbows, shoulders, toes, and wrists.
Total Hip Replacement
A total hip replacement involves replacing the joint's ball and socket. A prosthetic head on a shaft is used to replace the femur's head, and a synthetic joint surface is used to line the acetabulum's joint surface.The average surgical operation lasts between one to two hours. How closely you adhere to the home care recommendations provided by your orthopaedic surgeon in the initial weeks following surgery will have a significant impact on the outcome of your procedure.
Total Knee Replacement
Total knee replacement involves the removal and replacement of all three compartments of the knee. During total knee replacement surgery, a diseased or damaged bone from the thigh bone, shinbone, and the kneecap is replaced with a prosthesis to resurface or cap the ends of the diseased bones to form the new knee joint. The prosthetic knee joint is realigned by an orthopedic expert for optimum alignment.
Partial Knee Replacement
Partial knee replacement involves removing and replacing only the damaged compartments of the knee. Partial knee replacement surgery is also referred to as unicompartmental knee replacement. Only a piece of the knee is resurfaced with metal and medical grade plastic components in unicompartmental knee replacement. For individuals whose illness is restricted to only one part of the knee, this technique serves as an alternative to complete knee replacement.
Shoulder Replacement
In shoulder replacement surgery damaged parts of the shoulder are replaced with prosthesis. During the replacement surgery, the need for replacement depends on the extent of the injury or condition. The options during a shoulder replacement surgery include the replacement of the humerus bone's ball or the replacement of both the ball and the socket (glenoid).
Elbow Replacement Surgery
In elbow replacement surgery damaged parts are replaced with prosthesis.
Total Ankle Replacement Surgery
Total ankle replacement or ankle arthroplasty is a joint replacement surgery where an artificial implant composed of metal and medical grade plastic replaces the ankle joint. Ankle replacement surgery is mostly carried out on arthritic patients to reduce pain and improve function.
Carpometacarpal Surgery
In Carpometacarpal (CMC) arthroplasty surgery, the trapezium (one of the wrist carpal bones that makes up a portion of the thumb joint) is removed and replaced with a prosthesis.
