Osteoarthritis can be debilitating. When joints are severely
affected by arthritis, one potential treatment option to explore is replacing
the damaged joints with a new, artificial one. This may not only reduce or even
eliminate the pain associated with arthritis, it can also restore function to the
joint. Hip, knee and shoulder joint replacements are some of the most common
surgeries recommended when dealing with arthritis.
How does
arthritis affect the joints?
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition. It damages the
surfaces of the joint where they make contact with each other. In the shoulder,
this is the head of the humerus and a portion of the scapula. In the knee, it
involves the ends of the femur and tibia(the thigh bone and shin bone) and
patella(the knee cap). In the hip, the affected areas are the head of the femur
and the socket in the pelvic bones in which it rests.
What does a
joint replacement for arthritis involve?
In simple terms, a total joint replacement for arthritis
involves replacing the damaged joint surfaces with artificial components. For
shoulder and hip replacements, these consist of a ball with a stem as well as a
socket. For knee replacements, the artificial components are specially shaped
metal plates which replace the degraded cartilage covering the ends of the
bone, along with a medical-grade plastic disc that replaces the thick pad of
cartilage cushioning the joint. In some cases, the patella may also be relined
with artificial components.
If your arthritis is advanced but you are otherwise in good
health, joint replacement may be an option. However, you should always consult
with an experienced orthopedic specialist who can provide you with conservative
treatment options and other minimally invasive approaches to try before
resorting to surgery.
The best
candidates for an arthritic joint replacement procedure include patients who:
·
Have arthritis that is severe
·
Are experiencing significant impact on their quality of
life due to their symptoms
·
Have found conservative treatments such as
anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy to be ineffective
·
Are willing to actively participate in a
rehabilitation program following surgery
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