What Is Joint Pain?
A joint is an area in your body where two or more bones meet. Joints include your shoulders, fingers, elbows, ankles and knees. These joints hold the skeleton together and allow body movement.
Joint pain can be described as any discomfort,
ache or soreness in any of your body's joints. It is a common medical condition that can be caused by an injury or illness.
Joint replacement may be an option when your joints are damaged from arthritis, normal wear and tear or disease.
However, your doctor may likely first suggest other treatments to reduce pain, such as the following nonsurgical approaches:
- Assistive mobility devices such as a cane or walker
- An exercise program
- Physical therapy
- Medications
What Is Joint Replacement?
Joint replacement is a surgical procedure that is performed to remove damaged or diseased joints. These are replaced by a device made of metal, plastic or ceramic that is designed to replicate the movement of a natural and healthy joint.
The
most common replaced joints are those in the hips and knees, but other joints can be replaced as well, including the shoulders, fingers, ankles and elbows. This procedure may help reduce pain, improve walking and other movements.
Some of
the injuries and conditions that may need a total knee replacement include the following:
- Osteoarthritis - the most common form of arthritis that is often related to aging and most frequently occurs in the hands, hips and knees.
- Rheumatoid arthritis – an autoimmune disease that causes pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of functions in the joints. It can also affect the eyes, mouth and lungs.
- Osteonecrosis – a bone disease that results from the loss of blood supply to the bone. This causes bone tissues to die and the joints that surround the bone to collapse.
- Bone tumors – the abnormal growth of cells within the bone
- Loss of joint cartilage
- Noninflammatory or inflammatory degenerative joint disease
How Is Joint Replacement Surgery Performed?
Total joint replacement surgery is typically recommended for patients with advanced end-stage joint disease suffering from functional decline and disabling pain.
This procedure may take a few hours. A knee replacement procedure typically takes
one to two hours or more to complete and is performed in a hospital or outpatient surgery center.
Before the procedure, your doctor may give you medications that either block the pain in one part of the body or put your whole body to sleep.
During the surgery, your doctor will remove the damaged cartilage and bone from your joint and replace it with a new man-made joint.
You will then be transferred to a recovery room after the surgery until you are fully awake or until the
numbness goes away.
Who Needs Joint Replacement Surgery?
When nonsurgical treatments and medications, such as physical therapy and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs do not provide relief, your doctor may recommend a total joint replacement surgery.
The need for joint replacement depends on several
factors, such as the severity of joint damage and loss of function, including the effects of joint pain to a person's quality of life.
How Do I Prepare for Joint Replacement Surgery?
In the weeks before your total joint replacement procedure, your doctor may check your overall health and may require blood and imaging tests to help plan your surgery.
It is important for you to prepare and plan ahead for the challenges of
surgery and recovery. Take it upon yourself to learn about the procedure and talk to your doctor on what to expect before, during and after surgery. Some questions you may ask include:
- What is the hospital's admission process?
- What type of anesthesia is suited for my condition?
- What are the available implant or prosthesis options?
- How long is the recovery process?
- What medications should I take for pain management?
Make sure to provide your healthcare team with a list of your personal and medical information to help ensure a successful surgery. The list may include the name of the person who will drive you to and from the hospital on the day of your surgery, any
medical conditions or previous operations you have undergone, the name of your insurance company, and, if applicable, any advance directives you have made such as a living will and other important legal documents.
How Long Does It Take to Recover After Joint Replacement Surgery?
The course of recovery differs from one individual to another. In most cases, patients typically experience temporary pain in the replaced joint due to weakened muscles surrounding the joint. This pain should resolve in a few months while the tissues
heal and the body adjusts to the new joint.
Your doctor or physical therapist may recommend a rehabilitation program that involves exercises to help restore movement and strengthen the joint.
Joint implants can last 15 to 20
years or more, depending on the type and level of a person's physical activity. The majority of patients are able to get back to their pre-surgery routine and perform daily activities more easily after the surgery.
Am I A Candidate for Same Day Surgery?
Total joint replacement of the hip and knee are two of the most common surgical procedures performed today. With advances in surgical technique and technology, in addition to new medicines to help manage pain, same-day joint replacement is feasible for
our highly-motivated and active patients. Your surgeon will determine if you are a candidate for same-day joint replacement.
Who is a good candidate for same-day surgery?
- Generally active
- Healthy body weight
- Generally younger than 75 years old
- You have a good support system at home
Benefits of same-day discharge include:
- Reduced risk of infection
- Reduced out-of-pocket cost
- Quicker recovery
- Recover in the comfort of your own home
If you have severe medical conditions that require close monitoring post-surgery such as poorly controlled diabetes, kidney disease, bleeding disorders or neurological conditions you may not be a candidate. If you live alone and don’t have support,
you are not a candidate for same day surgery.>
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