Joint Replacements – Types and Their Benefits
Joint replacement is among the most advanced medical surgeries for the joints of the hip, knee, shoulder, ankle, elbow, and fingers. It is a procedure where a damaged joint is removed and replaced with a new artificial joint to restore movement and relieve pain.
In some instances, the surgeons may remove a part of the damaged joint (partial joint replacement), while in others, they may remove it entirely (total joint replacement). The type of joint replacement to be done will be based on the extent of the damage and the severity of the pain. However, the surgery performed for complete removal of the damaged joint and replacement with artificial joints is referred to as total joint replacement (TJR).
What Are the Benefits of Joint Replacement Surgery?
Joint replacement surgery can help patients return to their normal daily activities and function well. Patients who engaged in sports before needing surgery can often participate in low-impact sports following surgery.
Physical therapy and an organised rehabilitation programme can help in achieving qualified outcomes from surgery. The speed of patient recovery following joint replacement surgery depends on:
- Activity level before surgery
- Overall general health
- Severity before surgery
- Duration of physical impairment before surgery
- Type of surgery (i.e., cemented, non-cemented, minimally invasive)
- Attitude towards recovery
- Level of motivation
Types of Joint Replacements
The types of joint replacement surgeries include:
Total hip replacement
Total hip replacement is a surgical procedure in which a doctor surgically removes a painful hip joint and replaces it with an artificial joint to relieve pain and make moving easier. These artificial joints may include components such as metal and plastic. It will be performed when the other non-surgical treatment has failed to provide enough pain relief.
It is generally performed under general anaesthesia. A cut is made along the side of the hip to expose the hip joints by moving the muscles that are connected to the thigh bone. The ball portion of the joint is removed, and an artificial joint is attached to the thigh bone using either cement or a special material.
Next, the doctor prepares the surface of the hip bone by removing any damaged cartilage and replacing the socket part with a new ball part. Then he put the fluid in, reattached the muscles, and closed the incision.
Benefits of Hip Replacement Surgery:
The possible advantages of hip replacement surgery include:
- Reduced hip pain
- Increased mobility and movement
- Correction of deformity
- The equalisation of leg length (not guaranteed)
- Increased leg strength
- Improved quality of life
- Ability to return to normal activities
- Enables you to sleep without pain
Total knee replacement
Total knee replacement is a skilled procedure in which the diseased or painful knee joints are removed and replaced by prosthetic materials. This surgery is usually recommended for patients suffering from severe joint pain after all other conservative treatments failed to provide enough pain relief.
In this procedure, incisions are made for implanting metals in place of natural joints to mimic their movements. You might feel pain right after the surgery, but in a couple of days, you will have enough pain relief. The knee replacement surgery targets relieving pain, improving quality of life, and maintaining better knee functioning.
Benefits of Knee Replacement Surgery
The possible advantages of knee replacement surgery include:
- Freedom from pain
- Improved mobility
- Improved quality of life
- Everyday activities and exercise become easier.
- Helps in restoring the quality of life
- Offers a long-lasting solution for knee problems.
Nearly four out of five people who have had knee replacement surgery are happy with their new knees. However, the main cause of dissatisfaction among other patients might be continuing pain, which may not be due to a problem with the operation.
Shoulder Joint Replacement
Shoulder replacement is a type of joint replacement surgery in which the ends of the damaged upper bone (humerus) or shoulder bone (scapula) are replaced with an artificial implant with cement or other similar substances. Shoulder replacement is a systematic procedure in which your implants are created in such a manner that there will be a growth of new bone at the joint component. However, cementing may not be used in such cases.
Benefits of Shoulder Joint Replacement Surgery
The shoulder replacement surgery provides various benefits, such as:
- Increased range of shoulder and overhead motion
- Pain-free shoulder motion
- Restored stability to the shoulder
- Revision of previous unsuccessful rotator cuff repairs
- Revision of previous failed shoulder replacement surgeries
- Treatment of certain complex fractures
Elbow Replacement Surgery
Total elbow replacement is a surgical procedure during which an incision is made at the back of the joint and the tissue and muscles beneath the skin are retracted. However, any existing spurs or scar tissues surrounding the joint are gently removed during this procedure.
The arm bone (humerus) and the forearm bone (ulna) near the elbow joint are isolated before fitting the stems of implants on the humerus and the ulna. The implant is made in the gap using bone cement. The muscles may return to their places once the incision is closed. The elbow may have to remain flexed for a couple of days following the surgery so that the soft tissues can heal. Once healed, physical therapy and range of motion exercises can strengthen the arm as well as prevent joint stiffness.
Benefits of Elbow Joint Replacement Surgery:
The main advantages of elbow joint replacement surgery include:
- Reduced joint pain
- Improved range of joint movement
- Improved quality of life
Seek immediate medical care if you are dealing with any joint pain. Joint replacement surgery is safe and helps you find relief. However, before going to the surgery, assess all the potential risks and complications involved in these procedures with your orthopaedic surgeon.
About KIMS-Sunshine Hospitals:
KIMS-Sunshine Hospitals, located at Paradise Circle, Secunderabad, is a comprehensive medical facility led by the renowned joint replacement surgeon, Dr. A. V. Gurava Reddy, who specialises in orthopaedic care. Dr Reddy and our dedicated team of like-minded associates are committed to the mission of providing top-tier healthcare that is both affordable and accessible to the general public. Over time, KIMS-Sunshine Hospitals has established itself as a leading healthcare institution, excelling in various medical specialities such as orthopaedics, gastroenterology, cardiology, trauma, and neurology.
Look no further than KIMS-Sunshine Hospitals if you need the best orthopaedic hospital in Hyderabad or the experience of a reputable orthopaedic hospital near you. We are dedicated to providing our patients with world-class orthopaedic care. Our highly skilled orthopaedic professionals are committed to restoring mobility, relieving pain, and improving your overall quality of life. We are perfectly positioned to meet your healthcare needs if you are looking for the top orthopaedic hospital in Hyderabad. Please contact us if you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation. KIMS-Sunshine Hospitals is your first step towards better orthopaedic health.
