How A Joint Replacement Works
Our joints are remarkable pieces of engineering. They allow us to move in multiple ways to complete the daily actions we take for granted. Our joints are designed to last a lifetime, often more than 80 years. However, sometimes these joints can become damaged or worn out midway through their life expectancy. Luckily, there are a few different options for joint replacement that an orthopedic surgeon in New Jersey can perform in order to restore joint function to its original capacity.
What are the Goals of Joint Replacement Surgery?
The main goal of a joint replacement surgery is to remove a damaged or nonfunctioning joint and replace it with a synthetic device that will perform the duty of the joint. The goal is to get the patient’s mobility back to as close to 100% as possible. Joint replacement surgeons also strive to ensure the joint is properly installed so that it will not wear unevenly or damage the existing bones.
Because of their use inside the human body, there are several qualifications that replacement joints must meet in order to allow the goals of the surgery to be met. The hardware used in replacement joint surgery must be able to resist wear and tear over a prolonged period of use. Patients definitely don’t want to have to go back under the knife to replace another joint. They also have to work within the body and not trigger immune system responses. This means that there are limitations on what types of materials can be used and that they must be sterile when installed.
Who is a Good Candidate for Joint Replacement Surgery?
In order to be a good candidate for joint replacement, a prospective patient must first be healthy enough to undergo anesthesia and surgery. They must be strong enough and willing to go through the follow up physical therapy as well. Joint replacements can only be done when the bones that the joint will be attached to are strong enough to support the new hardware. This means that those with osteoporosis near their joints are generally not good candidates for these types of surgeries. The reason for this is that their bones are often not strong enough to attach an implant to. Joint replacements are designed to treat damaged joints or those with severe forms of arthritis.
How does the Joint Replacement Procedure Work?
During a joint replacement procedure the patient will be put under a general anesthetic because the procedure may take several hours. The surgeon will open the patient and begin to work on removing the damaged joint. Once the joint is removed, he or she may need to reshape the ends of the existing bones in order to fit the replacement joint in place. This joint will then be attached and the patient is closed up.
What Preparations do Must be Made Before Surgery?
Joint replacement surgery is a major surgery so there are many preparations that must be made beforehand. First, a prospective patient will meet with their doctor and surgeon to discuss the possibilities of surgery and the possible outcomes. They will then decide on the best procedure and device for the patient’s needs as well as exact medical condition. This step will involve x-rays and other observational methods that will allow the doctors to get a good idea of what the problem with the joint is, specifically. Then a variety of medical tests including blood work may be required to examine the patient’s overall health. Many times a cross match for the blood type will be made as many joint replacement patients receive a blood transfusion during the operation.
What Can I Expect After the Surgery?
The goal of these types of surgeries is to replace the joint with a fully functioning synthetic version and restore movement fully. Patients will undergo physical therapy almost immediately after waking from the operation. This can be painful but will help to restore motion fully more quickly. Generally, some hospital recovery time is required after the operation and some patients will need to stay at a recovery unit or physical therapy center. Patients can expect a fair amount of pain following the procedure but can look forward to many years of unrestricted, pain-free movement after healing.
What are the Goals of Joint Replacement Surgery?
The main goal of a joint replacement surgery is to remove a damaged or nonfunctioning joint and replace it with a synthetic device that will perform the duty of the joint. The goal is to get the patient’s mobility back to as close to 100% as possible. Joint replacement surgeons also strive to ensure the joint is properly installed so that it will not wear unevenly or damage the existing bones.
Because of their use inside the human body, there are several qualifications that replacement joints must meet in order to allow the goals of the surgery to be met. The hardware used in replacement joint surgery must be able to resist wear and tear over a prolonged period of use. Patients definitely don’t want to have to go back under the knife to replace another joint. They also have to work within the body and not trigger immune system responses. This means that there are limitations on what types of materials can be used and that they must be sterile when installed.
Who is a Good Candidate for Joint Replacement Surgery?
In order to be a good candidate for joint replacement, a prospective patient must first be healthy enough to undergo anesthesia and surgery. They must be strong enough and willing to go through the follow up physical therapy as well. Joint replacements can only be done when the bones that the joint will be attached to are strong enough to support the new hardware. This means that those with osteoporosis near their joints are generally not good candidates for these types of surgeries. The reason for this is that their bones are often not strong enough to attach an implant to. Joint replacements are designed to treat damaged joints or those with severe forms of arthritis.
How does the Joint Replacement Procedure Work?
During a joint replacement procedure the patient will be put under a general anesthetic because the procedure may take several hours. The surgeon will open the patient and begin to work on removing the damaged joint. Once the joint is removed, he or she may need to reshape the ends of the existing bones in order to fit the replacement joint in place. This joint will then be attached and the patient is closed up.
What Preparations do Must be Made Before Surgery?
Joint replacement surgery is a major surgery so there are many preparations that must be made beforehand. First, a prospective patient will meet with their doctor and surgeon to discuss the possibilities of surgery and the possible outcomes. They will then decide on the best procedure and device for the patient’s needs as well as exact medical condition. This step will involve x-rays and other observational methods that will allow the doctors to get a good idea of what the problem with the joint is, specifically. Then a variety of medical tests including blood work may be required to examine the patient’s overall health. Many times a cross match for the blood type will be made as many joint replacement patients receive a blood transfusion during the operation.
What Can I Expect After the Surgery?
The goal of these types of surgeries is to replace the joint with a fully functioning synthetic version and restore movement fully. Patients will undergo physical therapy almost immediately after waking from the operation. This can be painful but will help to restore motion fully more quickly. Generally, some hospital recovery time is required after the operation and some patients will need to stay at a recovery unit or physical therapy center. Patients can expect a fair amount of pain following the procedure but can look forward to many years of unrestricted, pain-free movement after healing.