Have you ever been so stiff and in so much pain that you had trouble with your mobility? Well, that pain and stiffness could be due to your joints. Joints can become damaged by arthritis, overuse, or from sustaining injuries. Arthritis or simply years of use may cause a lot of wear and tear on your joints, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling. Bones are alive, and they need blood to be healthy, grow, and repair themselves. Diseases and damage inside a joint can limit blood flow causing multiple problems, and if not properly treated, surgery may be required.
Joint replacement surgery has progressed leaps and bounds in the last couple of decades, and is regarded as the most successful surgery in the field of Orthopedics. There are millions of people around the world who suffer from crippling joint disorders and pain. This form of treatment has really come as a savior for such patients, as the surgical and technological advancements have constantly evolved, it has made it possible to restore painless movement to the affected joint so that the individual can return back to a normal life after surgery.
What is joint replacement surgery?
In 2011, almost 1 million total joint replacements were performed in the United States. Hip and knee replacements are the most commonly performed joint replacements, but replacement surgery can be performed on other joints as well, including the ankle, wrist, shoulder, and elbow.
Total joint replacement is a surgical procedure in which parts of an arthritic or damaged joint are removed and replaced with a metal, plastic or ceramic device called a prosthesis. The prosthesis is designed to replicate the movement of a normal, healthy joint.
Technology is evolving: Joint replacement surgery is often the remedy for people to come back to an active and productive life. The present day joint replacement surgery is more advanced with better understanding of human anatomy based on improved imaging techniques. Refined surgical techniques and technological advancement in the accuracy and design of implants help ensure complete and painless mobility. Computer aided navigation, patient-specific knee replacement and robotic knee replacement…all these factors and more have made this surgical procedure not only a reality, but a life changing experience.
To find out more information about joint replacement surgery and if you are a candidate, call Dr. Bill Hefley at OrthoSurgeons to request an appointment.
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