Joint replacement surgery is a last resort for patients with hip or knee arthritis, but most people don’t know what to expect. Here’s everything you need to know if you are having or considering joint surgery.
What is joint replacement surgery?
An artificial joint is an implanted metal or plastic device that connects a joint with a bone or other supportive material. The replacement joint is usually between a hip and a knee, but it can also be between a wrist and a finger, and a wrist and a finger, and so on. What is a hip replacement and a knee replacement? A hip replacement is known as a total hip replacement, which replaces both the ball and the socket of the hip joint.
A knee replacement is known as a total knee replacement, which replaces the entire knee joint. An implantable artificial joint, commonly known as an artificial hip joint, contains a ball, cup, axle, socket, and other components. It is inserted into the joint space of the joint with two metal bars known as knees.
What are the costs of the surgery and recovery?
Surgery can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000. Because of the nature of joint replacement surgery, it is a capital expense, so in order to help you get the best care, look for hospitals and insurance providers that offer financial assistance. If you need assistance after surgery, call your doctor or insurance provider or reach out to a local non-profit organization such as Our House of Hope.
What kind of pain should I expect? When it comes to surgery, many people fear the pain will be intense, and that’s completely understandable. However, your pain will be under control because you are having major joint surgery. And the pain will get better over time. The reason for this is the nature of joint replacement surgery.
Who is a candidate for joint replacement surgery?
Joint replacement surgery is often recommended for patients whose joint pain is severe, impacting their quality of life, and leading them to seek medical care. Joint replacement surgery may be appropriate if other treatments have not relieved pain. These patients may include: Osteoarthritis of the knee: This arthritis is when one or more bones in the knee get worn down and stop providing adequate support for the knee.
Osteoarthritis often gets worse with age. Osteoarthritis of the knee affects approximately five million Americans and can contribute to pain, stiffness, and loss of muscle function. Periarteritis of the hip: Periarteritis is the most common form of hip arthritis. The cartilage that cushions the ball and socket joint in the hip gets worn down and loosens over time.
Preparing for surgery
Get your affairs in order so that when the time comes for surgery, your loved ones don’t have to rush around to take care of things. Make sure you have discussed with your doctor any special concerns or questions. Ask about having things like your mail forwarded, banking arrangements made, or hiring someone to help out around the house while you are recovering.
Your primary care physician or primary care surgery team can help you plan the perfect home care program for your recovery. Getting into and out of bed and your recliner are probably the most obvious things that can be planned out, but you may also want to have plans for how you will manage in the bathroom. For example, can you walk there and back while in a seated position?
Recovery from surgery
Physical therapy is key in preparing you for going home, but pain can last long after that. Knee and hip pain can last weeks or months. As your pain subsides, your body will learn to function with the new joint, but your muscles will have to learn to do a few things on their own. To avoid muscle tightness, your body will begin to learn how to move the joint the way it’s supposed to.
To prevent stiffness, your body will begin to form the “overload and release” pattern to move the joint again and again without discomfort. Patients should remember that, because of the nerves in the joint, it can be difficult to determine when the pain is from the joint or from muscles. Sometimes it can be hard to determine.
Conclusion
It may take time for the surgery to fully recover. Your doctor will encourage you to take it easy after the surgery, and while you should rest as much as possible for the first week or two, you need to get up and moving. It will take some time to build up strength, but if you stay active, you will recover quicker and have fewer complications.
