The same can be said about joint replacement surgery. Although there is a lot of positive feedback from people who have had the surgery and claim it has changed their lives for the better, there is still a reluctance on the part of many people to give into this extensive surgery.
Total joint replacement is a surgery in which a damaged joint - usually caused by arthritis - is removed and replaced with a prosthesis, a replica of the joint that’s made of metal, plastic or ceramics. It is designed to mimic the movement of the joint it replaces and eliminate the pain caused by the natural joint deterioration.
The reticence to undergo the surgery may stem from the extensive rehabilitation that’s necessary once the surgery has been performed. Or perhaps it’s a general aversion to invasive surgery. It may even be a dread of having a natural body part replaced by something artificial.
But eventually, the pain of having a hip or knee limit your mobility and consequently, your ability to enjoy life, wins out. In 2011, almost a million total joint replacements were performed by surgeons in the United States. While knees and hips are the most common joints replaced, they're not the only types of replacements available. Today, patients can have a wrist, ankle, shoulder and/or elbow replaced with a prosthesis.
Is the Time Right?
Joints are hinges, constantly bending and straightening to allow us to perform various movements. The joint is where two bones meet. The hip and knee are considered ball and socket joints because the rounded end of one bone fits into the cup of another.
Joint damage can occur as the result of natural aging, repetitive stress, athletic injuries, accidents or as the result of arthritis, a painful disease that causes deterioration in the joint, rendering it stiff and painful to move. Cartilage wear and tear is what causes the pain, as the cushion that eases the movement wears away.
If medication, physical therapy and changes to the daily routine don't bring relief, that’s when the patient may consider having the joint replaced.
10 THINGS TO CONSIDER ABOUT THIS SURGERY
Because joint replacement is serious and potentially life-altering surgery, there are some things any patient should consider before undergoing the knife. Here are a few points to ponder:
1. You will have to undergo tests before the surgery. A blood test, an echocardiogram and several other routine tests will be performed to check your overall health and make sure you can withstand the surgery.
2. You will have to prepare your body. Like any test of your health, it’s a good idea to prepare your body for the shock of surgery. Eating right, cutting back on drinking and reducing stress, and exercising where possible are all things that should help ready you for surgery.
3. Preparing the house. Because there will be a period where surgery limits mobility, it’s a good idea to rearrange the house to accommodate the temporary disability. Remove loose throw rugs, move furniture that makes direct access to necessary areas like the bathroom or kitchen difficult, and generally line up necessary tools in easy-to-reach places.
4. Ask questions. It is important to head into surgery fully aware of what is being done, how it will be done, and the timetable for recovery.
5. Get help. The first weeks with a new joint are difficult, and getting around the house and things like shopping will be hard if not impossible. It is time to line up help, either from friends, relatives or social services.
6. Buy assistive items. There are tools that can make life easier during temporary immobility. A shower bench, handrails, an assistive reacher, a raised toilet seat can be godsends during the recuperation period.
7. You will be walking quickly. Because surgeons and therapists do not want adhesions to form after surgery, you will be taken on a short walk after your surgery, perhaps as soon as the day of the big event. The journey will be assisted by a walker and a nurse, but it will be important to get up and walking so that no stiffness sets in.
8. There are several types of joints available. A cemented joint is used in people who have weakened bones and in those who do not move around much, like elderly people. The cement will hold the prosthesis to the bone. Uncemented joints are usually used in younger, more active people and in those with good bone quality. Recovery may take longer because the bone will need to grow and attach to the newly inserted device.
9. Devices don’t last forever. The lifespan of a prosthesis is about 10 to 15 years. If you are young and get a replacement, it's possible you may need another procedure done later in life.
10. Success is not guaranteed. Although the majority of surgeries are successful, your rehabilitation will largely determine how successful the use of the joint will be. You will need to undergo physical therapy and regularly exercise the joint to recover maximum use of that part of the body that was replaced.
RISKS OF JOINT REPLACEMENT
Once your joint surgery is done, there are still some potential problems. As with any surgery, there’s the possibility of infection or a blood clot. There may also be a loosening of the new prosthesis or a dislocation. Some of these may require a second surgery to correct the problem. There is also the possibility of nerve and blood vessel damage caused by the surgery.
Keep in mind that past experiences with joint surgery are constantly being updated and improved. New research on replacement joints is developing techniques to improve movement and flexibility, and new materials are being developed that will last longer than previous materials. The odds are going up on success as more of these surgeries are performed, building on the lessons of the past.