Joint Replacement Surgery: FAQs

Joint replacement surgery is a medical procedure that aims at helping people suffering from chronic joint ailments. The procedure involves the removal of a damaged joint and replacing it with an artificially created graft made up of plastic, ceramics or metal. The procedure is offered at all the leading orthopaedic hospitals including the leading spine surgery hospital in India. Joint replacement surgeries have paved way for new possibilities by making it possible for the patient to get rid of the unnecessary pain and discomfort that prevented them from living a normal life. However, joint replacement surgery is usually the last resort of the doctors when all other treatment options fail to work. 

In this blog, we have tried to answer some frequently asked questions about joint replacement surgery with the help of Dr.Bharat Bahre who is one of the most trusted names when it comes to joint replacement surgery in India.

Why do I need joint replacement surgery?

Joint replacement surgery is used to help patients suffering from chronic joint damage which may be the result of a prevailing medical condition like arthritis or osteoporosis, an injury sustained in an accident, severe blow or wear and tear due to prolonged indulgence in rigorous physical activities. Elbow, ankle and shoulder joint replacement surgeries are usually performed in case of sports-related injuries. A lot of patients prefer to undergo elbow, ankle and shoulder joint replacement in Delhi as the treatment offered here is at par with excellence.

Will the surgery help to completely evade the problem? 

The surgery can help you to get instant relief from the pain but it is not a permanent solution and you might even need a revision surgery especially in case of arthritis or osteoarthritis. However, sticking to the guidelines set by your doctor can help to increase the life of the graft and also help you to cope up with the post-surgical trauma. 

How do I know whether I need total or partial knee replacement surgery?

Total knee replacement is recommended to patients whose knee joint has been completely damaged and cannot be restored whereas partial knee replacement is used for patients whose joint has not been damaged completely. The decision is usually taken by your doctor after conducting a series of tests and screenings to determine the extent to which the joint has been damaged. Both partial, as well as total knee replacement surgery in Delhi, is performed by specialised experts who leave no stone unturned in delivering best results. 

What are the various complications associated with joint replacement surgery?

Just like any other medical procedure, joint replacement surgery also has a number of risks and complications associated with it. The surgery is performed under the influence of anaesthesia and as such is not recommended for patients who are allergic to anaesthesia. The various complications associated with joint replacement surgery include blood clotting, infection, nerve damage, dislocation of the prosthesis etc. It is very important to keep all of these in mind before opting for the procedure.

How long do I need to stay in the hospital post surgery?

Undergoing a joint replacement surgery is definitely a big deal and it might take up to months or even years to recover completely. Usually the patient is discharged within 2 to 3 weeks post surgery, however movement of the affected joint is restricted to some extent. Doctors usually recommend complete bed rest and abstaining from all kind of rigorous activities. Normal activities can be started only after consulting your specialist.

What all guidelines need to be followed after a joint replacement surgery?

The success rate of a joint replacement surgery majorly depends upon the willingness of the patient to follow the guidelines and routines set by the doctors. It is advisable to avoid rigorous physical activities. Keep your weight under check as excessive body weight can give rise to complications especially in case of knee, ankle and hip replacement surgeries. Do not move the affected area unnecessarily. Avoid lifting heavy objects and bending your back. Physiotherapy is very important as it helps to increase the flexibility of the affected joint and minimises the time taken for recovery.

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What are the risks of Joint Replacement surgery?

Joint replacement surgery is the medical technique of helping patients suffering from chronic. As the name suggests the procedure involves the replacement of a damaged joint or a part of it with an artificially created graft that resembles the original joint. Our joints can get affected by a number of reasons that include injuries sustained in an accident, normal wear and tear and medical conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis. Joint problems can be very painful and can limit your daily activities to a great extent. In some cases, the problem can be easily treated by topical medicine and ointments as well as physiotherapy. In chronic cases however the patient needs to undergo joint replacement surgery. Dr. Aashish Chaudhry is one of the most reputed and trusted names when it comes to joint replacement surgery in Delhi.

Although joint replacement surgery has successfully helped to treat many patients, just like any other medical procedure it too has certain risks associated with it. On consulting the leading knee replacement surgeon in Delhi we came to know that before proceeding with the surgery the doctors have to make sure that the patient is eligible for it or else it can even pose a serious threat to the life of the patient. This same was backed up by the leading ankle, shoulder, elbow and hip replacement surgeons in Delhi.

The various risks associated with a joint replacement surgery include the following:

• Joint replacement surgeries are performed under the influence of anaesthesia and a lot of patients are allergic to anaesthesia. This increases the risks of stroke, blood clot and pneumonia.
• Another major risk associated with joint replacement surgery is clot formation. The blood clots usually develop in the veins and have a tendency to break free from the wall of the vein and travel along the blood channels. These clots can block the various blood channels leading to very serious complications including pulmonary embolism. This condition is also known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
• Sometimes the graft can become loose and dislocated from its original position leading to chronic pain and discomfort. The patient may need to undergo a division surgery in order to treat the problem.
• If the graft differs from the original joint in its size, it can lead to a difference in the lengths of the legs. The problem can be easily treated with the help of a shoe insert.
• After the surgery, the patient may feel chronic stiffness in the affected knee. While in most of the patient's the normal functioning of the knee is restored, there are still many who cannot bend the affected knee properly. Although physiotherapy can prove to be very helpful in such cases by increasing the mobility of the knees, it might take up to some time and in some cases, the flexibility of the affected joint will be reduced permanently.
• The material used for making the prosthetic joint can trigger allergic reactions in certain patients. This is usually marked by itching and inflammation accompanied by chronic pain. In such cases, the prosthetic joint has to be removed immediately.
• Sometimes if the doctor is not careful, the surrounding tissues and joints can get damaged during the surgery leading to more complications

Some patients opting for sports injury treatment in Delhi complained there their performance in the field was highly affected after the surgery. This is quite natural as joint injuries can be traumatic and it may take up to months to heal properly. It is highly recommended to visit a specialist and get yourself treated from the best hospital to avoid any such complication.

If you are suffering from a joint problem of any kind, immediately consult an orthopaedic specialist. The doctor might suggest certain tests and screenings which include X-Ray and arthroscopy to determine the root cause of the problem and suggest a treatment procedure accordingly. Surgery is usually the last resort when all other treatments fail to work.

You went after the surgery the patient needs to strictly abide by all the guidelines set by the doctor which include complete bed rest and abstaining from all kind of rigorous physical activities that may put unnecessary strain on the affected joint. Physiotherapy may be started within 3 to 4 days after the surgery.

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What is the cost of Shoulder Replacement Surgery?

The human skeleton system provides a varied range of flexibility and movement, all of its components including bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and joints also have additional functions to perform which help in maintaining the overall well-being of human beings. Any sort of mishaps, high-energy event, disease or medical conditions can hamper the quality and health of the skeletal system and specifically if the impact is focused upon the joints, the results can be worse. One such example is the damages which occur on the region of the shoulder. In many cases, as per the inputs of a widely consulted best orthopaedic doctor in Delhi, states that the adverse cases in regards of shoulder injuries have to be treated with a proper and well-formulated plan of treatment which should include an effective rehabilitation programme as well. Severe shoulder injuries can either be treated through partial or total shoulder replacement surgery.

In addition to that, shoulder replacement surgery is also an efficient alternative for treating diseases such as arthritis, its impact against certain chronic diseases is also quite strong. To maintain the successful outcome of shoulder replacement surgery, the best shoulder replacement surgeon provides basic ideas of how a standard shoulder replacement surgery should be performed.

The course of treatment is initiated with a detailed diagnostic procedure which increments the possibilities of determining the right type of shoulder replacement surgery to be performed. The diagnostic procedures include X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests, electrocardiogram, and blood tests. Apart from these tests, the family history of the patient is evaluated and a proper physical examination is carried out as well.

The shoulder replacement surgery cost is dependent upon what type of shoulder replacement surgery is being performed which in turn is contingent upon the extent of damage caused to the shoulder, the type of shoulder injuries, the possibilities of replicating the normal positioning and structure of shoulder, the impact of damage on the patient, and the overall health condition of the patient. It usually covers the overall expenses of almost 4.5 lakhs. The shoulder replacement surgery is performed on a  partial basis, if only the ball of the joint is to be replaced with artificial structures but in case the condition is serious and major damages have been inflicted upon the shoulder, orthopaedic surgeons and concerned doctors advise a total shoulder replacement surgery in which the entire joint of the shoulder is substituted with prosthesis.

After the surgery has been carried out, it should be ensured that the patient religiously follows the rehabilitation program which is specifically formulated on the outcome of the shoulder replacement surgery. Some parts of the rehabilitation programme can include supervision of a physical trainer whilst some can be carried out individually by the patient. After the surgery, the patient is advised to not put excessive pressure on the operated area.

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