What makes a smooth movement of the joints? In large part, it’s a combination of the smooth protective cartilage covering the joint surface. Joint diseases such as arthritis can cause the accelerated degeneration of cartilage and cause pain, swelling, and restricted motion. As the disease progresses, the supportive cartilage and bone incurs damage and may need to be replaced.
If you have long-term joint problems due to arthritis, you may be wondering whether it’s time for joint replacement. This surgical procedure literally means replacing a damaged joint with artificial parts or a prosthesis. Joint replacement surgery is either partial or total, where a partial replacement entails replacing only the damaged portion of the joint. Joint replacement surgery is most commonly performed on the hip and knee.
The benefits of joint replacement are reason enough to get it. If you are interested in joint replacement, ask for a referral to an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in joint replacement surgery, particularly one that specializes in the latest, minimally-invasive techniques. Below are the reasons for needing a joint replacement.
To Remove Damaged Parts of a Joint
Damaged parts include diseased cartilage and inflamed soft tissues or parts of bone, which cause pain and restrict the range of motion. In a partial knee joint replacement, the doctor replaces either the medial, lateral, or kneecap part of the knee, which is most commonly affected by arthritis. Partial knee replacement may be performed using a minimally-invasive technique, and the removal of part of the knee makes it less invasive than a total knee replacement or arthroplasty.
To Relieve Pain
Pain is a major factor in assessing a patient’s eligibility for joint replacement surgery. Patients who experience severe and unrelenting pain are good candidates for this procedure. One goal of joint replacement surgery is to reduce pain. Joint replacement along with pain management and physical rehabilitation can improve a patient’s experience of pain. Studies show that over 95 percent of patients who undergo hip replacement surgery and over 86 percent of patients who undergo total knee replacement experience pain reduction a year after surgery.
To Restore Joint Function
Another important factor considered by orthopedic surgeons is the patient’s loss of mobility or disability. The removal of damaged or diseased parts and the subsequent physical rehabilitation that a patient undergoes after surgery can reduce pain and improve joint flexibility and range of motion to restore movement and activity. The main goal of joint replacement surgery is to allow the patient to resume normal activities. When getting out of bed, lowering yourself to sit in a chair or use the toilet, and raising yourself to get out of your car become difficult, your psychological health becomes affected. Recovery from total joint replacement varies from patient to patient, but studies show substantial gains in function and mobility three months after surgery.
Joint Replacement Surgeon in Bradenton, FL
Our orthopedic surgeons at Intercoastal Medical Group regularly perform joint replacement surgery and are highly skilled in the minimally-invasive technique. We see our orthopedic patients in our Beneva Professional Center and Lakewood Ranch I clinic. For physical therapy and rehabilitation, we see them in our Beneva Professional Center, Lakewood Ranch I clinic, and Palmer Ranch II clinic. If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment with any of our orthopedic surgeons, call us today or send a request online now.
