| this time, he or she should discuss all of the any | | | | prosthesis. |
| potential risks involved with the procedure as well as | | | | This prosthesis provides the patient with much need |
| all of the alternative measures. However, a decision is | | | | relief from pain. This surgery most effective on the |
| made to continue with the surgery, the doctor will | | | | weight bearing joints such as the knees, hips, and |
| recommend a procedure that he feels is best suited | | | | ankles, however, it has been used for all joints with |
| for the patient's condition and then will explain what | | | | successful results. |
| that procedure entails. | | | | Hip replacement surgery consists of removing the |
| Note that sometimes before surgery, doctors | | | | entire hip joint and replacing it with artificial |
| prescribe blood-thinning medication and advise you to | | | | components. These components function in the same |
| do various joint movement activities or exercises in | | | | manner as the natural hip, with the same type of |
| order to increase circulation. | | | | motion. When a patient elects to undergo hip |
| Some benefits of going the surgery route can include | | | | replacement surgery, they have an option to use |
| the stabilization, improved alignment or replacement | | | | their own blood. There is a great loss of blood during |
| of a joint so that you can have greater mobility, | | | | the procedure, and patients are prepared for this |
| flexibility, overall use and range-of-motion. Surgery | | | | ahead of time. They can elect to have their own |
| may also be able to provide some level of pain relief | | | | blood taken and stored ahead of time so that when |
| where other treatment options might have failed. | | | | they need a transfusion, they can use blood from |
| Be aware there are possible risks with surgery, | | | | their own body, eliminating many of the risks |
| though, like blood clots resulting. And your healthcare | | | | associated with transfusions. |
| specialist may advise against surgery if, for example, | | | | This particular procedure begins with an initial incision. |
| you have existing health problems that could pose | | | | The surgeon will then proceed to remove the entire |
| possible unwanted risks. Some of these problems | | | | hip joint, including the ball, socket, and top of the |
| could include sickness or infections that would need | | | | femur. Once the joint, and all damaged tissue is |
| to be healed first, being over weight, which could | | | | removed, a metal cup is adhered to the pelvic bone. |
| cause more stress and delayed recovery, lung | | | | Then, a metal stem is inserted into the femur; leaving |
| problems or heart disease. | | | | a portion exposed at the end for several inches. The |
| Common types of surgery used in the treatment of | | | | doctors place a ball on the end of the exposed |
| arthritis follow: | | | | portion of the metal rod, and all of the exposed |
| Arthrodesis - This is the joining together or fusion of | | | | parts are lined with another antifriction material. The |
| joint bones. Arthrodesis helps stop the progression of | | | | hip is reassembled, placing the ball joint into the |
| the disease at the point of fusion, ending the pain. | | | | socket and the incision is then closed. |
| Loss of the joint's flexibility can result. However, the | | | | Fusion Arthrodesis, or bone fusion, is another optional |
| area will be better able to handle weight and offer | | | | procedure where the bones are fused together in |
| general movement. In other words, the joint may not | | | | order to prevent them from moving independently. |
| be 360-degree-flexible any longer, but there will be | | | | This can be done two ways: |
| some lesser-degree of flexibility overall without pain. | | | | 1. Bone Grafting is the method of stimulating fusion |
| Arthroplasty - This is the replacement or rebuilding of | | | | between two bones by placing a small piece of bone, |
| an entire joint. And it is intended for those with | | | | from another region of the body, in between. This |
| high-level pain and movement impairment. It is | | | | small piece of bone encourages growth for the |
| discussed in much more detail in the section | | | | surrounding bones, thus fusing them in place. |
| immediately following this one, offering a focus with | | | | 2. Implantation of a metal or ceramic piece, which is |
| regards to hip replacement. | | | | adhered to each of the two bones, using either |
| Arthroscopy - Growing more popular with the | | | | screws or a special glue, thus preventing movement |
| improved use of technology, this procedure is when | | | | of the bones. Fusion is a common procedure and is |
| specialized instruments are inserted into the joint by | | | | used in conjunction with joint replacement surgery, |
| means of tiny incisions. During this surgery, the | | | | which is more extreme of a procedure then bone |
| operating physician has helping staff members who | | | | fusion alone. |
| aid the computerized monitoring and some handling of | | | | During a procedure called Ostheo, doctors can |
| the instruments. The doctor can see the joint on | | | | evaluate the injured tissue and eliminate any loose |
| closed-circuit television and make repairs to it, while | | | | material with the use of instruments that are inserted |
| talking through a microphone. Then not only are there | | | | into the joint through little incisions in the skin. During |
| physical results, but the patient has a video with | | | | the procedure, the surgeon can observe any damage |
| audio record of the entire occurrence for insurance | | | | to the joint on a closed-circuit television, and further |
| and other records. Arthroscopy is often performed | | | | remove any loose growths that could be the origin |
| on an outpatient basis. And recovery time is generally | | | | of pain. This sort of surgery can often be executed |
| much less than with other "open" surgery. | | | | on an outpatient basis, and typically involves a |
| Osteotomy - This is a medical procedure that makes | | | | shorter recovery stage than open/inpatient surgery. |
| an actual cut in the bone, most generally to correct | | | | Rehabilitation times for joint replacement surgery |
| youth deformities like in the knee or hip. Osteotomy | | | | vary from one person to the next. However, the |
| helps with re-alignment, stabilization, pain relief and | | | | average person has been shown to regain most |
| the delaying of joint replacement alternatives for up | | | | functions within three weeks. A positive attitude can |
| to 10 years. | | | | help to facilitate recovery. It is important for patients |
| Synovectomy - This procedure, generally done via | | | | to participate in this by reassuring themselves as well |
| arthroscopy, involves the removal of diseased joint | | | | as seeking support from support groups, family, and |
| tissue lining or synovium. Results can include swelling | | | | friends. |
| decrease, pain relief, improved but not completely | | | | Regardless of they type of surgery recommended, |
| healed joint health. | | | | most people recommend getting at least one other |
| Joint Replacement | | | | opinion before proceeding. In addition, check out |
| There are currently many options in orthopedic | | | | books, conduct your own online research, ask |
| (bone) surgery for people with arthritis. Joint | | | | questions through health chat rooms, call your own |
| replacement is the most common option. According | | | | local providers and learn all you can about your health |
| to the National Joint Replacement Foundation, (NJRF) | | | | condition. And if you do decide upon surgery, look |
| over 435,000 Americans underwent this procedure | | | | and plan ahead, too. Will you need time off work? |
| last year. These numbers have boosted joint | | | | Someone to help around the house? Someone to run |
| replacement to one of the most successful medical | | | | errands? Line up help with neighbors, friends, church |
| discoveries and the absolute most significant surgery | | | | members, family, co-workers and local services to |
| in the field of arthritis treatment. Joint replacement is | | | | pick up groceries, bring in the mail, clean house and |
| the process of removing one's entire joint as well as | | | | basically keep things running in the interim. In short, |
| any damaged tissue and replacing it with a metal | | | | take charge and reach out. |