Joint replacement surgery is a medical procedure where a damaged joint is replaced with a prosthetic one made of metal, plastic, or ceramic materials. It is commonly performed to relieve pain and improve joint function in conditions like arthritis or joint degeneration. During the surgery, the damaged joint surfaces are removed, and the artificial joint components are securely implanted. The procedure aims to restore mobility and enhance the patient’s quality of life, enabling them to engage in daily activities with reduced discomfort and improved joint function.
The surgery aims to restore joint function, reduce pain, and enhance the quality of life for individuals with debilitating joint conditions.
Joint replacement surgery, or joint arthroplasty is performed most frequently to
replace hip joints and knee joints, and involves the complete removal of the
damaged joint and tissues to be replaced with an artificial prosthesis. The goal of the
procedure is to relieve pain and restore a sense of normal function and mobility into
the damaged joint. Joint replacement surgeries are recommended for patients
experiencing severe pain and disability as a result of progressive arthritis.
Knee Replacement Surgery (arthroplasty) is a routine operation that involves
resurfacing a damaged, worn or diseased cartilage of the knee with an artificial
surface. This surgery is actually a knee resurfacing surgery which is commonly referred as
knee replacement surgery but the whole joint is not replaced in this surgery only the
damaged part is resurface. Adults of any age can be considered for a knee replacement, an average mostly are
carried out on people between the ages of 60 and 80 years.
Hip replacement surgery is a procedure in which a doctor surgically removes a
painful hip joint with arthritis and replaces it with an artificial joint often made from
metal and plastic components. It usually is done when all other treatment options
have failed to provide adequate pain relief. The procedure should relieve a painful
hip joint, making walking easier.
The hip is one of the most commonly replaced joints. It allows us to move our legs
and bend and straighten our body. Osteoarthritis, a type of arthritis, is the main
reason for Hip Replacement Surgery. Other conditions, including trauma, may also
cause the need for a hip replacement.
During this procedure, your damaged hip joint is replaced with implants that
recreate the ball and socket of a healthy hip. This can reduce pain and restore your
hip function. Hip replacement has the success rate of over 95%, 10 years after the
surgery, and over 85%, 20 years post-operation. After the surgery, over 98% patients
reported complete relief from hip pain and did not required revision surgery later.
The elbow is a hinge joint consisting of the humerus (upper arm bone), the ulna (the
outer forearm bone), and the radius (inner forearm bone).
Extensive damage or deterioration of the surfaces of the bones and cartilage of the
elbow due to rheumatoid arthritis or trauma can cause severe pain and discomfort.
In cases of extreme pain and joint degeneration, one’s doctor may recommend total
elbow replacement surgery.
During the elbow replacement procedure, the surgeon will open a small incision at
the back of the elbow to access the injured areas of the upper arm and forearm
bones. Once scar tissue and spurs have been removed, artificial components
consisting of a metallic plastic hinge and two metal stems will be placed inside th e
humerus and ulna bone cavities. A padded dressing will be used to protect the
incision and close the wound as it heals.
As with total shoulder replacement surgery, rehabilitation and physical therapy are
pivotal for the success of an elbow replacement. Gentle exercises are initially
employed to control stiffness and inflammation. These are followed by range of
motion and strengthening exercises as the wound heals. It may take up to six weeks
following surgery to be able to perform routine tasks or to lift regular household
objects.
The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint made up of the round end of the arm bone, a
curved bowl-like surface (glenoid), cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. The shoulder
allows the arm to lift, twist, and bend both forward and backward and gives it the
greatest range of motion of any joint in the body. As the cartilage erodes and wears
down over time, the bones can come into contact with each other, causing pain,
discomfort, and stiffness.
During the procedure, the surgeon removes the injured arthritic ball and replaces it
with a metal rod placed inside the upper arm bone with a smooth metal ball at the
end. The corroded socket (glenoid) is repolished and capped with a plastic or metal
component. Rehabilitation and physical therapy begin the day after surgery as the first few
weeks following the procedure are crucial for restoring the mobility, strength, and
normal functioning of the shoulder.