Joint replacement, also called arthroplasty, is a surgery to replace damaged joints with artificial joints. These artificial joints are commonly called prostheses. Prostheses can be made up of metal, ceramic, or other materials. Surgeons can replace joints in any part of your body, but hip or knee replacement are the most common arthroplasty types.
Normally, people who get joint replacements go for total joint replacements. Only a few people will be in a condition to get partial replacements where only a part of the damaged joint is replaced.
Recovery time for arthroplasty is different from one patient to another. A lot of factors play a role in your recovery, such as your lifestyle, age, procedure type, which joint you got replaced, etc. You might want to get yourself screened at the total joint replacement ft worth providing high-quality ortho-care to their diverse clientele.
The first few days after your procedure, you will have some pain. Hence, you should:
- Minimum physical activity: Post-surgery, it is recommended to rest as much as possible. It helps in the recovery process. The doctor may also recommend a cold compress on the new joint for about 20 minutes at a time.
- Physical therapy: Physical therapy helps restore strength post-recovery, making it an important post-surgery tool.
- Elevate: Your doctor will recommend keeping the joint elevated while resting. Make sure to seek advice from your doctor on the elevation of the joint so that you can follow the right approach.
- Keep your incisions clean and covered: Follow your Doctor’s incision care instructions carefully.
- Take pain medication: Since pain and discomfort are common, your doctor will provide you with prescription medications. Remember to consume the medication as per your doctor’s advice carefully.
Advantages of Joint replacement
Arthroplasty procedures are done so you can move easily and live pain-free lives. They improve the quality of life by giving them another chance to live an active life.
Disadvantages of Joint replacement
Every procedure has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Let us go through the risks of undergoing joint replacement/arthroplasty:
- Blood clots
- Infection.
- Further injury to the joint replaced will cause damage to the nerves in that region.
- On the contrary to the surgery’s purpose, there could be some stiffness that could lead to fracture.
- Problems with the new joint, including dislocation.
- If you are someone with diabetes, hemophilia, or any other autoimmune disease, then you are at a higher risk of having complications post-surgery.