Hip and Knee Joint Replacement Surgery-How is it done?

Orthopedics & Joint Replacement | by CMRI | Published on 04/09/2021

A joint is an area of the body where two bones meet to allow motion. Its surface is covered with cartilage to make a smooth gliding joint. The wearing down of this cartilage can occur over time resulting in inflammation and joint pain due to bone-on-bone friction.

 

Total Joint Replacement Surgery refers to the invasive procedure wherein the damaged or arthritic joint parts are removed and restored with an implant or an orthopedic prosthesis constructed with a metal, ceramic, or plastic. The artificial device is designed in a way to normalize the joint shape and movement. This surgery is carried out mostly to treat rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis when other therapies have failed.

 

Why are hip and knee replacements performed?

 

The goal of the hip and knee replacement surgery is to:

• Eliminate the joint pain
• Correct joint deformities
• Improve the mobility of the patient
• Provide a better quality of life

 

CMRI is one of the best multispecialty hospitals in Kolkata where expert joint replacement surgeons perform all types of joint replacement surgery using advanced and cutting-edge technologies.

 

What to expect from Total Joint Replacement Surgery of hips or knee joints?

 

The very first step while deciding on joint replacements is to know whether the person is a suitable candidate for the surgery or not. The surgeon who performs the surgery reviews the patient’s medical history carries out a thorough physical examination and takes an X-ray of the knee or hip. If advanced arthritis is diagnosed through X-rays, the first line of treatment would be non-operative. The decision for the surgery rests completely on the patient who is facing disability from arthritis which has an influence on the daily activities and life quality.

 

Hip replacement:

 

During this surgery, firstly the damaged ball of the ball and socket joint of the hip is removed and replaced with a ceramic or metallic ball that is attached to the stem connecting the femur. The placed implant has a special coating on it into which the bones grow over time. Next, a metal cup that is a replacement for a damaged socket is placed into the pelvis. Lastly, a plastic liner is broken into the metal cup that rotates with the implanted ball attached to the end of the femoral stem. All the implants and prostheses are available in different sizes and shapes which can be tailored according to the patient's requirements. To know more about hip replacement in Kolkata in detail contact an expert at CMRI.

 

Knee replacement:

 

During this invasive procedure, a small section of the bone lying along the joint surface at the end of the femur or thigh bone, top of the leg bone or tibia, and underside of the knee cap are removed. All the bone surfaces are then reshaped with the help of special tools and resized appropriately so that the implant can fit inside. The major tendons and ligaments of the knee are kept as it is so that the knee joint remains stable and moves normally. Knee replacements can either be cemented into place or be covered with a special coating material into which the bone grows. To know more about knee replacement in Kolkata in detail contact an expert at CMRI.

 

Both procedures take about 1-3 hours and are carried out in a hospital setting with overnight stays. These are usually performed on a sedated patient who is given spinal anesthesia along with a nerve block for better control of the pain and speedy recovery.

 

Recovery:

 

After the surgery and hospital stays, the patient is instructed for further therapy and sent home. Generally, within one to three months post-operation, the patient can returns to their normal daily routine according to their progress of recovery and over health. Full recovery with maximal endurance and strength is likely to be within six months to a year.

If the patient has a waterproof dressing, they can take shower within 24 hours otherwise they would have to stay away from soaking the treated area for a few days. Mostly, outpatient physical therapy to accelerate the rehabilitation after surgery by a skilled therapist is advised by the doctor. This process involves the use of therapeutic modalities and dedicated machines to reduce the pain and stiffness of the treated joint.

 

The longevity of the implants is typically up to 15-20 years. Heavy lifting work is usually a difficulty after the surgery for some time. The surgeons usually emphasize getting out of bed rest quickly to be able to move their joints.          

 

For more information about joint replacement surgery costs and benefits contact now with the expert surgeons at CMRI.