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Replacing a hip, knee or other joint can end years of pain
Why joints fail
Healthy joints are cushioned by a
smooth layer of cartilage that allows
the joint bones to move without
much pain or friction. Bones them-
selves are living tissue and need a
constant supply of blood to grow,
remain healthy and make repairs.
When joints are damaged—by
injury, arthritis, or simple wear and
tear, for example—cartilage can dis-
appear. Bones can lose some of their
blood supply, and inflammation can
trigger fluid that overfills the joint.
The result? Pain, stiffness and
swelling that can affect walk-
ing, standing, sitting or sleeping.
Muscles around the joint start to
decline as using the joint becomes
increasingly painful.
What’s involved?
Replacement joints are designed to
mimic how a normal joint moves.
They generally have two or more
parts that fit together, and the parts
are made of various materials—such
as stainless steel, chrome, titanium,
ceramic and wear-resistant plastics.
Surgery to replace a hip or knee
usually takes two hours or less. The
surgery team removes
the damaged joint and re-
places it with an artificial
one, called a prosthesis.
Artificial joints come in
many forms and sizes.
Surgeons decide which one
to use based on a number
of factors, including a patient’s size,
health and lifestyle and the amount
of damage to the joint.
Is it time?
Most people who get new hips,
knees or other joints are older than
65. But a trend over the past decade
is for people in their 40s and 50s to
have joint replacement surgery.
Joint replacements usually last
10 to 15 years. People who have the
surgery at a young age may face
needing a second one later on.
If you’re considering joint
replacement surgery, check with
your primary care doctor to make
sure you’re healthy enough to
undergo anesthesia and the opera-
tion, advises the American College
of Rheumatology. An orthopedic
surgeon can then help you sort
through the maze of options avail-
able for replacing your joint.
To find an orthopedic surgeon
who knows the best approach to
replacing your worn-out joints,
call
843-522-5585
.
Get back in action at a free joint pain
seminar on November 8 in Beaufort.
Seating is limited, so please call
843-522-5585 to register.
Before and after that new joint
When it’s time to get that joint re-
placed, it’s best to have some presur-
gery physical or occupational therapy.
This helps get muscles stronger and
gets you in shape for a better surgical
outcome. This is because some of your
muscles will need to be “re-educated”
after surgery. If you have “taught”
them prior to surgery, they are
often easier to reactivate afterwards.
Controlling your weight will also have
a big impact on your joints!
Typically, patients stay in the hospi-
tal only three or four days after a joint
replacement. After you go home, a dif-
ferent journey begins. It is important
to move that joint—particularly for
total knee and shoulder replacement
patients. The last thing a patient (or a
surgeon) wants is for that brand-new
joint to get stuck.
So, whether you have assistance
from home health workers or go
directly to an outpatient rehabilitation
facility, your goals will be to get your
range of motion back, improve your
strength and endurance, and get back
to the activities of your daily life that
are important to you.
Once you leave the hospital, follow
the instructions you have been given
by your doctor, your therapist and your
Total Joint team. Continue to watch
for signs of infection. It is normal for a
joint replacement to have some swell-
ing and superficial skin warmth. It is
not normal for it to be hot and huge.
Beaufort Memorial prides itself
on having one of the lowest surgi-
cal infection rates for total hip and
knee replacements in the nation.
“Life Lived Better” is our mantra. Our
Total Joint team, including Outpatient
Rehabilitation, can help you achieve
that. For more information, call us
at
843-522-5593
or
843-522-5850
in Beaufort, and
843-706-8841
in
Bluffton.
Doctor Referral Service: 888-522-5585
• Health Scene
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