|
|
|
|
 |
|||
|
ABOUT THE DOCTORS   |
Is Joint Replacement Right for You?
If you're fed up with a bum knee or hip, you may want to consider joint replacement.
It's a common treatment option for the baby boomer crowd and for younger
adults with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
The number of joint replacement surgeries performed
each year is predicted to skyrocket as
boomers continue to age. By the year 2030, hip
replacement surgeries could soar to 572,000 and
total knee replacements may reach an astounding
3.48 million, according to a recent study.*
Joint replacement may be the solution for a
friend, neighbor or family member, but is it
right for you?Determining your options Joint replacement surgery can offer pain relief, better mobility and an improved quality of life – for the right candidate. If you've experienced one or more of the following symptoms, you may benefit from joint replacement:
Joint discomfort can put a damper on your day-to-day activities. Basic movements, such as walking up a flight of stairs, may become obstacles for a person with joint pain. If your pain or inflammation hasn't responded to traditional treatments such as anti-inflammatory medication, your physician may recommend joint replacement surgery. He or she will study your health history and perform a thorough exam of the affected hip or knee before referring you to a surgeon. What can I expect? Joint replacement surgery involves removing an arthritic or injured joint and replacing it with a new one. The implant, also called a prosthesis, is typically made of metal or plastic and is molded to form a new hip or knee joint. In some cases, the joint is cemented to the bone to keep it attached. This procedure is often used for older individuals whose bones may be frail. For knee replacement, the physician's assessment will indicate whether a full or partial knee replacement is needed. A partial knee replacement involves removing the worn ends of the thigh and shin bones and inserting a free-floating plastic bearing between them. Because there's a smaller incision and less surgical trauma, hospital stays and recovery time are shortened. "Partial knee replacement can work well, but only about 30 percent of patients with knee arthritis are candidates for partial knee replacement. Full replacement works well for all other patients and delivers excellent pain relief and function," says Jon Hop, MD, of Shoreline Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine in Holland. A joint effort Orthopaedic surgeons have been performing joint replacements at Holland Hospital for more than 25 years, including several hundred knee and nearly 100 hip replacements each year. To optimize patients’ rehabilitation experience, Holland Hospital established the Center for Joint Replacement, which offers a unique "joint camp" environment. Joint camp begins a week or two prior to surgery, when patients attend a class together at Holland Hospital that explains the joint replacement procedure. Patients are admitted for surgery on the same day, and the day after surgery they begin physical therapy as a group. After discharge, patients may receive home care visits and see a physical therapist for up to two weeks. Most patients are walking with crutches or a cane within 2-3 weeks, and can do normal activities in 6-8 weeks. They are discouraged, however, from doing high-impact activities that stress the new joints. "We consider the current implant technology to last about 15 years, but some patients will go longer than that," says Joel Wolfe, MD, of Shoreline Orthopaedic. "Joint implants are still 95 percent functional for patients after 10 years and 80 percent-plus [functional] after 15 years." To determine whether joint replacement surgery is right for you, contact your physician. For more information on Holland Hospital's orthopaedic services, visit our Joint Replacement Center.
|
||
|
|
||
