All You Need To Know About Knee and Hip Replacement

Knee Replacement

The knee is the biggest joint in the human body and is essential to practically every normal action. It is also the most often injured joint. It has the capability to straighten up and bend in one direction during twisting. It is caked flexion and extension. Walking, climbing stairs, standing, and sitting are all activities that need movement of the knee joint to function properly. Knee injuries and arthritis are common due to the fact that it is such a vital component of one's typical daily activity.The knee joint is created by the ends of three bones: the lower end of the thigh bone, also known as the femur, the upper end of the shin bone, also known as the tibia, and the kneecap, also known as the patella.

The Need of Knee Replacement Surgery

When the knee joints are severely damaged, a form of surgery called knee replacement surgery can be done. It aids in significantly eliminating the pain and restore function in the poorly functioning knee joints. Damaged bone and cartilage are removed from your thighbone, leg bone and kneecap and replaced with an artificial joint (prosthesis), which may be constructed out of metal alloys, high-grade plastics, and polymers. The process takes around 60 – 90 minutes.

Arthritic pain can worsen over time. When all other options must relieve pain resulting from it, knee replacement can be considered. Knee replacement may be the only choice left when the effect of pain is visible in the daily activities, walking and sleep, the inflammation doesn’t subside with medication or rest, stiffness is present, no positive changes are seen with the help of medications, therapy or knee injections and the degree of deformity is significant.

Procedure of Knee Replacement Surgery

During the knee replacement procedure, your knee will be in a bent posture, allowing you to see all the joint surfaces. Once your surgeon has made an incision that is about 6 to 10 inches (15 to 25 cm) long, he or she will pull your kneecap aside and cut away the damaged joint surfaces. After preparing the joint surfaces, the surgeon will connect the parts of the artificial joint to the joint surfaces that have been prepared. Before sealing the incision, the surgeon bends and rotates your knee to confirm that it is in perfect working order.

Knee replacement is a useful technique to restore the knee function and quality of life of the patient. It is most required in arthritis. Recovery from it takes time but with efforts it is totally possible to have healthy knees again.

Hip Replacement

A hip replacement is a typical surgical operation that a physician would conduct to fix a broken hip joint. It is the most frequent surgical surgery performed today. The procedure consists of replacing the joint with an implant, also known as a prosthesis. Hip arthroplasty is done to enhance the function of the hip joint while also alleviating discomfort. A new hip usually permits a person to resume to their previous activities without restriction. The majority of hip replacements are designed to endure for several years. This procedure leads to less pain, better movement ability and significantly improved quality of life.

The Need of Hip Replacement

An individual who has significant damage to the hip joint that’s causing a lot of pain and restricted movement, may need to get a hip replacement. Osteoarthritis, for example, is more common among older persons, who are also more prone to suffer from hip joint degeneration. With ageing, bone health deteriorates as well, increasing the likelihood of a hip fracture.

Types of Hip Replacement

There are many different techniques for doing the hip replacement surgery. The implants that may be used to replace parts of hip are different too. In majority of techniques for hip replacement, the ball present on the top of the femur is replaced with a cup or socket in the pelvis. Metal is usually used for the stem that is put inside the top of the femur. It is common for the implant's head, or ball, to be made of metal or ceramic, and the cup that it is placed in the pelvis is also often made of metal or ceramic. They will insert a plastic liner that is the same size as the head inside the cup, which will enable the replacement hip to move freely and painlessly after the procedure. The implant is joined to the bone using a special bone cement. When it comes to younger individuals, the implants are often "press-fit." This refers to the use of implants that have a specific covering that permits bone to grow on top of them over time.

Procedure of Hip Replacement Surgery

Patients are given anaesthetics to put them to sleep throughout the surgery. After that, an incision is made in the skin, and the muscles are separated, allowing the hip joint to be seen. The injured portion of the joint is removed, and the implants are secured to the bone. The incision is then closed with sutures or surgical staples to keep it from reopening. A sterile bandage is applied at the site of the incision. After the surgery is over, the length of time patient spends in the hospital after surgery is determined by patient’s specific requirements. Pain management medications provided by the doctor are effective in relieving the pain.

Hip replacement surgery is a highly frequent procedure, particularly among elderly persons. A hip replacement is most often required when a person suffers from osteoarthritis of the hip. It has the potential to significantly lessen a person's discomfort while also improving their mobility and overall quality of life. Recovering properly following a hip replacement requires time and effort, and the majority of individuals will need physical therapy to help them return to their pre-operative walking, mobility, and strength levels.

FAQs

1. How long does it take to recover from knee replacement?

Patient can stop using crutches or walking frame and get back to doing leisure activities 6 weeks after surgery. 3 months will be required for the inflammation and pain to subside.

2. What is the best age to have a knee replacement?

Research suggests that 70 to 80 years is the best age to have a knee replacement.

3. Research suggests that 70 to 80 years is the best age to have a knee replacement.

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4. Why should I get knee replacement surgery?

Pain alleviation, enhanced mobility, and a higher overall quality of life are why someone may consider getting a knee replacement surgery done.

5. Is there pain after knee replacement surgery?

People may experience little pain and soreness during the 6-month healing period after the knee replacement surgery.

6. How long can it take someone who has just had a hip replacement surgery to recover?

Although everyone heals in a different way, on average, it can take 2 to 4 weeks.

7. What is the average age for hip replacement?

According to the Arthritis Foundation, the vast majority of persons who have hip replacement surgery are between the ages of 50 and 80.

8. How long does a patient have to be hospitalized after a hip replacement?

A patient may have to stay in the hospital for 1 to 3 days after a hip replacement.

9. What are the first signs of needing a hip replacement?

Chronic pain, difficulty in performing routine tasks, limitation of the normal range of motion due to stiffness in hip and conservative treatment failing to relieve pain are the first signs of needing a hip replacement.

10. Is there a certain age limit after which hip replacement can’t be done?

No, there is no time limit to get a hip replacement done.