Specialities
Joint, Knee, Hip Replacement Surgery in Chennai
A joint is where the ends of two or more bones meet. For example, a bone of the lower leg, called the shin or tibia and the thighbone, called the femur, meet to form the knee joint or hinge joint. Likewise, the hip is a ball and socket joint. It is formed by the upper end of the thighbone-the ball at the end of the femur, fitting into the socket-part of the pelvis called the acetabulum. Other joints in the musculoskeletal system are at the shoulder, ankle, elbow, and wrists. The ends of the bones are covered in cartilage, which help to cushion and enable smooth, easy movement. When the cartilage wears away either due to injury or because it is diseased, the bones become rough and grind against each other, causing disability and pain.
Why does pain develop in joints?
With age, the cartilage tissue that cushions our bones become thin. As a result, the bones start rubbing against each other or pressing against nerves and surrounding tissues. This causes joint pain. Falls and injuries in the past, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, sedentary lifestyle, lifestyle habits and medications for certain conditions all increase the risk for joint pain. Further, pain in the knee joint can trigger pain in the hip joint and vice-versa.
Several types of conditions can cause joint pain or cause disability, consequently requiring a patient to consider joint replacement surgery. A joint replacement surgery would be suggested when non-surgical treatments like medications, physiotherapy and changes to a patient’s daily activities fail to provide any relief from pain and disability. Anti-inflammatory medications are prescribed to treat a patient non-surgically, along with physiotherapy and individually designed exercises that can be performed at home.
How will I know if joint replacement surgery is required?
A qualified orthopedic doctor will assess the extent of your pain. He/she will then put you on other courses of treatment such as physical therapy and medication. When none of these work, and the pain becomes severe, accompanied by swelling and redness in the joints, or extreme difficulty in moving, bending or straightening up, it may be time for joint-replacement.
When a patient is referred for a joint replacement program, the Orthopaedic Surgeon will suggest treatments based on the findings and diagnosis, taking into consideration the age, activity levels and medical history of the patient. The evaluations will be based on radiological, medical, physical and historical records of the patient. Both non-surgical and surgical options will be considered and discussed by the orthopaedic surgeon, as a part of counselling and educating the patient.
Total joint replacement is considered when non-surgical efforts fail to provide any modicum of relief from pain. Joint replacement is a surgical procedure in which arthritic or damaged joints parts are removed and replaced with plastic, metal or ceramic prosthesis or devices which are designed to duplicate movement of the joint, as closely as the original joint.
Is this an inpatient or outpatient surgery?
The patient must stay in the hospital for 1 or 2 days so it’s an inpatient procedure. Physical therapy and medication will begin almost immediately and will continue even after you he/she is discharged. There will be clear instructions on activity and lifestyle which must be followed for a good outcome.
Once you have chosen to have your joint replaced, the orthopaedic surgeon will schedule the surgical procedure. The surgical team will administer anaesthesia, which could be either spinal or general. Once the anaesthesia takes effect, the surgical team will replace the damaged joint with a prosthesis.
The length of the surgery will depend on the extent of damage to the joint and therefore, each surgery will be different, depending on whether there are other complications involved. Post-surgery, the patient will be held in a recovery room, until such time the anaesthetic effect has worn off.
What is the success rate for such surgeries?
Hip-joint and knee-joint replacement surgeries have been around for long. The success rate is as much as 95%. People who have undergone joint-replacement can enjoy reduced pain, reduced discomfort, increased mobility and improved quality of life after surgery. There are various dos and don’ts after the surgery and the doctor will educate you on the same thoroughly
After a knee or hip replacement surgery, the process to help you regain your mobility will begin, such as standing or walking. To begin with, our trained and experienced physiotherapists will assist you in strengthening the muscles with gentle exercises, so that you can regain mobility. If the joint replacement was in your shoulder, generally you will be encouraged to begin exercising it the very same day of the surgery.