Total hip and total knee
replacements are the most frequently
performed adult reconstructive
procedures in the U.S. In the U.S.
alone there were 600,000 hip and
knee replacements done in 1999.
The most common symptom
associated with the need for a joint
replacement are pain at night, a
painful arthritic joint that does
not respond to medication, and
limited range of motion associated
with pain. There are also
deformities associated with limb
length inequality that can cause
pain and problems.
Total joint replacements can
provide pain relief, correct a
deformity, restore movement, and
provide a stable joint to allow for
weight bearing activities.
New Treatments
The latest methods used to treat
arthritis include newer medications
such as Celebrex and Vioxx, which
has less associated risks of ulcers,
and injections of Synvisc or Hyalgan
(similar to WD-40 lubricating agent)
to relieve pain. Joint cartilage
transplantation and the transfer of
human cartilage from one area of the
joint to another are other
alternatives.
Some of the new surgical
treatments give immediate surgical
stability to allow patients the
ability to begin post-operative
weight bearing exercises immediately
after total knees, total hips and
some revision surgeries. Patients
who begin range of motion exercises
earlier can help prevent blood clots
and weakness. The goal is to restore
function, movement and strength as
soon as possible.
An exciting development in hip
replacement surgery is the use of
modular hip replacements. Modular
hip replacements allow physicians to
choose components that match the
patient's own anatomy. For example,
hip replacement length and position
can be changed by using different
size balls and neck lengths to
adjust leg length.
Technology is constantly
improving the quality of the metals
and the plastic inserts so patients
can have longer success with their
hip, knee or shoulder replacements.
Joint replacements improve
quality of life, help keep patients
active, which may prevent
osteoporosis, and promote
independence. Most importantly,
joint replacements can relieve the
pain associated with arthritis.
