Joint Replacement - what's involvedWhy might a joint replacement be needed?The aim of having a joint replaced is to relieve the severe pain and restricted movement that accompanies the deterioration of a weight bearing joint, most commonly as a result of osteoarthritis. Joint replacement operations are very effective for most people with sever oesteoarthritis however any surgery poses risks so a replacement should be considered only when other non-surgical treatments e.g. weight loss, exercise, medications, etc. no longer bring sufficient relief. There are some key factors which your surgeon will take into account when assessing the need to go ahead with surgery:
What happens during replacement surgery?During a ‘total hip’ or ‘total knee’ replacement all articulating surfaces of the hip or knee joint are replaced. An artificial joint, called a prosthesis, is inserted in place of the diseased joint components. There are many different types of prosthesis, made of sturdy and hard-wearing synthetic materials such as metal, plastic or ceramic. What should be expected after the surgery?In most cases the operation will reduce pain, improve mobility, make day-to-day activities easier and An artificial joint does have a limited lifespan. Most hip and/or knee replacements survive for an average of 10 to 15 years, but in ideal conditions some can last for up to 25 years. For this reason, the longer someone can delay having to have their first replacement, the better their chances that they won’t need a revision surgery. In addition, being overweight causes an acceleration of the normal wear & tear on the artificial joint which will cause the prosthesis to become loose and painful. It has been noted that the best outcome from a replacement surgery will be achieved with the following:
See the Smoking Information module for where to go if you need help quitting. Complications of joint replacement surgeryEvery treatment has risks and benefits, including joint replacement. The potential complications of joint replacement surgery can vary between individuals and is something that should be discussed with a surgeon. Where to go to find out more about osteoarthritis and joint replacementArthritis Australia produces a range of brochures and provides support services for people with arthritis and has some very good information about replacement surgery. For more information, visit www.arthritisaustralia.com.au. |
QuestionsThe Causes of Osteoarthritis (OA) and how it progresses Joint Replacement - what's involved Strategies to avoid hunger and boredom KicStart™ - serving suggestions and tips Precautions & Contraindications Constipation & other potential side effects Antibiotics and other medication queries Why is there so much food in the lunch and snack box? Why has my weight loss slowed or stopped? Lactose intolerance (bloating, wind pain, diarrhoea) Understanding pain relief medication |