Joint replacement surgery involves your surgeon removing your damaged joint and replacing it with an artificial joint. The artificial joint can be made from metal, ceramic, or heavy-duty plastic, and it looks and functions like a natural joint. Joint replacement can involve any joint but is mainly used for knee and hip joints. Your Medical LaPorte surgeons can recommend joint replacement if you have joint pain and swelling that do not improve with non-surgical treatments. Joint replacement can also help if you experience joint stiffness and limited mobility, which makes it challenging to perform your daily duties.
What happens before your joint replacement surgery?
Your surgeon may recommend an MRI or CT scan for the damaged bone to help the provider plan for your treatment. Tell the surgeon any medications you might be taking. You may stop taking particular medicines like blood thinners before your treatment. Your specialist will tell you how many hours you will avoid eating or drinking before surgery.
What happens during your joint replacement surgery?
Joint replacement surgery involves various techniques based on the joint being replaced. Your surgeon will administer anesthesia to ensure you do not fail pain during your surgery. The surgeon will make incisions around the injured area to remove the damaged joint and replace it with an artificial joint. The specialist will then close the incisions using stitches, staples, or surgical glue and warp the joint with a bandage. You can have a brace or sling to support the affected joint.
What happens after your joint replacement surgery?
Depending on your surgeon’s surgical technique, you may go home the same treatment day or stay in the health facility for a day or two. Ensure you have someone to take you home. You will experience pain several days after your surgery. Your specialist can prescribe medications to control your pain, reduce swelling and prevent blood clots.
Your specialist will tell you to avoid physical activity for a few days. Depending on the treated joint, you may have to elevate it while you rest. The specialist will guide you on how to take care of incisions. Keep them clean and covered. You may be required to perform physical therapy to help recover quickly and restore joint function.
Although rare, you may encounter complications like blood clots, infection, and damage to the nerves surrounding the replaced joint. You can also have joint stiffness, weakness, or instability that can lead to a fracture. Consult your specialist if you detect any of these effects.
How long will it take to recover from a joint replacement surgery?
The recovery period for joint replacement surgery varies in different patients. Ask your surgeon when you can resume your daily activities. The recovery period depends on your age, activity level, lifestyle habits, replaced joints, whether you had a total or partial joint replacement, and overall health.
Joint replacement surgery is a treatment technique that involves removing your damaged joint and replacing it with an artificial joint. It can be used on any joint but surgeons mostly use it in the knee or hip joints. This treatment helps to restore the normal function of your joint. Schedule an appointment at Mitchell Hip and Knee for joint replacement surgery to restore your mobility.
