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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Signs Indicating Failure of Knee Replacement

Even though surgical interventions like joint replacement surgeries have brought a massive change in the health graph of individuals who suffer from damages joints, the rates of its failures and that too after a successful operation has not been able to be erased yet. In this article, we have showcased the possible signs which can help an individual who underwent a knee replacement surgery to assess if their knee replacement has failed. We have consulted experts in the field but we strongly advise the readers to contact professionals before making any choice on their behalf.

Infection

Sometimes, the individual can experience a severe ache in the muscles around the operated region. An expert from a renowned medical institution of total knee arthroplasty Delhi adds, ‘if the muscle ache is severe, and in addition to that the body temperature is not normal, these signs are close to confirmation of failure of knee replacement.’ In this case, reach out to your doctor, a proper diagnosis can evaluate the right condition and future course of medical treatment.

Pain and/or swelling

Apart from muscle ache, pain in the vicinity of the replaced knee which spreads from the knee to the nearby areas can be a symptom of damaged knee replacement surgery. In some cases, the patient also experiences mild soreness in that particular. An experienced orthopedic surgeon from an esteemed joint replacement hospital in Delhi explains, ‘slight pain following up in post-operative conditions after a knee replacement surgery is common, but it is a matter of concern when it is persistent and severe in nature.’ Basically, doctors prescribe painkillers for temporary relief but if the pain persists, contacting your concerned doctor would be the right step to take. For treating swelling which is a result of inflammation of the lining of the knee, various effective anti-inflammation drugs are available, do take as per your doctor’s prescriptions.

Changes in optimal mobility

A major reason for which individuals undergo a knee replacement surgery is to regain (or at least come close to) their natural range of motion and flexibility but after operation if the patient is not comfortable with expected knee movements even after the rehabilitation programme has been accomplished, for instance, the patient is experiencing stiffness in the replaced knee, it is professional advice to visit knee replacement surgeon in Delhi or whatever medical hub is in proximity of their reach because it could be a warning for failing of the knee replacement.

Effusion or rash development

Formation of excessive fluid in the operated knee is not a good sign at all. Orthopedic experts associate this effusion in the knee as a symptom of the failure of knee replacement. Secondly, development of eczema-like rashes in that particular area is also a similar warning sigh, unlike effusion, if the patient is experiencing eczema-like rashes, the possible underlying reason can be easily pointed out to the reaction of the body to the prosthetic knee, basically, metal hypersensitivity.

Crystalline arthropathy

Dr. Bharat Bahre, a highly qualified professional of this field calls this condition as a clear warning sign of the failure of knee replacement. If an individual suffers from crystalline arthropathy in the replaced knee, he/ she starts to experience symptoms of infections due to the accumulation of crystals in the operated knee.

Injuries

Even the experts from the best arthroscopy hospitals in India cannot stop the necessity of a revision surgery if the bone or any likewise structure of the knee joint is damaged due to a high-energy collision event. Individuals who had been engaged in a knee replacement surgery, they have to pay extra care to their health and physical activities because they are at higher risk of getting injuries and the success rates of revision surgery are not high as a knee replacement surgery.

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What causes an arterial blockage?

Before knowing about the various causes of arterial blockage it is very important to understand what arterial blockage actually means. Well, the name clearly suggests that the disease is associated with the arteries and signifies some kind of obstruction. Arterial blockage, commonly known as Atherosclerosis in the medical world is a condition marked by the accumulation of fibrous and fatty substances inside the artery which hinder the normal flow of blood leading to coronary heart diseases. If left untreated, it can increase your chances of suffering a heart attack. The problem can be treated with the help of heart bypass surgery or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). There are a lot of hospitals where you can easily opt for heart bypass surgery in Delhi. 

The clogging of the arteries, as per the best heart specialist in Delhi, is extremely dangerous and can be caused by various different factors, the most important of these being plaque formation. Plaque is the main culprit behind various heart-related diseases including aortic stenosis. Patients suffering from this are subjected to a treatment known as TAVI heart valve replacement surgery, which is carried out by implanting a new graft besides the damaged valve or replacing the old valve completely. Aortic valve implantation in Delhi is one of the most commonly performed cardiological procedures after heart bypass surgery. 

A person experiencing arterial blockage experiences pain in the lower limbs accompanied by the weakening of the pulse in the legs. In such a scenario you are bound to experience leg cramps commonly known as intermittent claudication. Chest pain is a very common symptom and its intensity may vary depending upon the activity level of the patient.  

• Obesity is one of the major causes of arterial blockage and recent studies have shown that obese people are more prone to heart attack and other cardiovascular problems. Obesity leads to increased levels of cholesterol in the body which accumulates on the walls of the arteries in the form of plaque.
• Increased intake of salt can also lead to arterial blockage.
• The arterial blockage may also be triggered by an existing medical condition like diabetes and hypertension.
• The problem can also be triggered by old age.
• Excessive consumption of junk food, fast food and oily food is also a major cause of arterial blockage.
• The arterial blockage may also be a result of an injury sustained in an accident that critically damages the arteries.
• Smoking and consumption of alcohol can also damage your arteries leading to arterial blockage.
• Stagnant lifestyle also contributes to the problem as excessive stress can damage your arteries thereby increasing your vulnerability to coronary artery disease.
• A stagnant lifestyle which has become quite prevalent nowadays also greatly contributes to the problem.
• High levels of triglycerides in your blood can also lead to arterial blockage.
• Apart from the factors mentioned above, the arterial blockage may also be caused by various other factors that include sleep apnea which is marked by irregular breathing while we are sleeping. This leads to a sudden change in the blood oxygen levels which in turn leads to a rise in the blood pressure, thereby causing severe damage to the arteries.
• During pregnancy, the expecting mother can develop a condition known as preeclampsia which is marked by increased levels of protein in the urine. This can also increase the risks of developing an arterial blockage.

If you have a family history of heart attack, stroke or any other heart problem, it is important to visit a doctor frequently and get yourself checked for any sort of abnormality. Simple changes in your lifestyle and diet can help you to evade the problem.

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Exercises before Knee Replacement Surgery?

Joint problems can affect anybody and especially people who are in their mid 40's or above. Join problem is mostly age-related however it can be the outcome of many other reasons as well which include a persisting disease or chronic injury. Whereas most of these can be effectively treated with the help of exercises, therapies, topical and oral medicines, on some cases where the damage is Chronic, the patient might even need to undergo joint replacement surgery. The surgery can be performed for removing the defected portion of the joint and replacing it with an artificially created graft. Knee replacement surgery is one of the most common types of joint replacement surgeries performed in India. Knee replacement specialist in India resort to the use of the latest technology for offering quality treatment to their patients. 

Dr. Sourabh Shah is one of the most trusted names when it comes to knee replacement surgery in India. Hailing from the best partial and total knee replacement surgery hospital in Delhi, he is responsible for many successful transplants that have helped to transform the lives of numerous patients. Undergoing and knee replacement surgery is definitely not a small thing and a lot of facts have to be kept in consideration while taking the decision of proceeding with the surgery. The procedure can be performed in two ways that are arthroplasty and arthroscopy. The type of procedure that is to be performed depends upon the preference of the patient as well as the severity of his condition. After the surgery has been performed the patient has to follow certain guideline said by the doctor which include special exercises and therapies. Doctors may even recommend certain exercises to be performed before the surgery. These are quite important as they can greatly help in your speedy recovery.

People suffering from joint problems often tend to sit at one place due to pain and discomfort. This leads to inflammation and swelling in the joints and weakens their muscles and bones which can give rise to complications during the surgery or even after it by slowing down the healing process. Exercising can help to avoid this problem why strengthening your bones and muscles and helping you prepare physically for the surgery. The best doctors for knee replacement surgery in Delhi recommend certain exercises to their patients that can be easily performed at home without any hassle.

Some of these have been mentioned below:

Walking - walking is very important as it helps to release all the strain from your muscles and also strengthens your bones. You can go out for morning and evening walks as per your convenience. 20 to 30 minutes of brisk walking every day can surely prob to be very helpful.

Leg raises - lie down flat on your back and raise your legs simultaneously at 60 degrees. Hold the position for some time and then repeat. Perform three sets of 10 reps each every day.

Ankle pumps and circles - lay down on your backhand pump your feet up and down. After doing this rotate your feet in both clockwise and anticlockwise direction.

Bed mobility exercise - Lie flat on your back, and slowly raise your upper body on both elbows. Straighten your arms out behind you and slowly rise to a sitting position. Lower yourself down onto your elbows again, then down back to the initial lying position.

Apart from these, you can also perform leg slides, side leg raises, lying kicks, chair push-ups, Knee bending and stretching. Yoga can also prove to be helpful for tackling joint related problems.

Some of the exercises that are to be performed before a knee replacement surgery and after it may slightly vary from each other. Hence it is very important to consult a specialist and educate yourself about all the different types of exercises that can help you before and after the surgery. Exercise is also important as it helps to avoid excess body weight which can lead to complications after the surgery by putting excessive strain on the operated knee.

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