Understand Joint Replacement Surgery Options

There are different types of joints in the skeletal structure of the human body. These joints are the points where two bones meet. Hinge (knee joint), ball-and-socket (hip and shoulder joints) are the main joints of the human body. Hinge helps to bend and straighten the legs. The “ball-and-socket” joint has the rounded end of one fit into the hollow of another bone, which supports in a rotation movement.

Healthy joints are coated with synovial fluid, which helps them to move smoothly. And have “articular cartilage.” When this cartilage wears away or is damaged due to trauma, disease, or age, or the fluid is reduced, joints become painful and stiff is called arthritis.

It is advisable to go through non-surgical treatments first to reduce pain, which helps a person to move better, habitually with the use of walking aids, medications, or exercise. If non-surgical treatments do not work, then another treatment, including surgery, becomes necessary to reduce pain and improve movement.

In a joint replacement procedure, new implants are constructed of plastic, metal, or carbon-coated implants to replace the abnormal bone and lining structures surgically. These new parts are usually painless and help to restore mobility of the joints.

Joint Replacement Benefits:

As per the research conducted by joint replacement hospitals in India, following are the benefits of joint replacement surgery:

● Reduce pain

● Restore motion

● Improve look and alignment

● Boost overall function

Most common types of joints replacement surgery in India:

Hips, shoulder, and knee surgeries are the most common joint surgeries performed. The following is more in-depth information on them:

● Hip Replacement

The hip replacement could be either total or Hemi (half). For addressing both acetabulum and the femoral head, a total hip replacement (THR) surgery is conducted, while Hemiarthroplasty only swaps the femoral head.

● Knee Replacement

The knee is the largest and one of the most complex joints which connect major limbs and bear the whole weight of the body. It is prone to various ailments and injuries. Knee surgery options are entirely subject to the portion that necessitates being treated. It could vary from a torn ACL to total knee replacement (TKR) or partial knee surgery or microfracture surgery.

● Shoulder Replacement

The deltopectoral approach to protect the deltoid is included in shoulder joint replacements. For some of the severe cases, reverse total shoulder replacement is an option.

● Elbow Replacement

An artificial joint made from implants that attach to the bones in the arm to replace the elbow bones. A metal and plastic hinge joins the implants together.

● Wrist Arthroplasty (Wrist Joint Replacement)

The damaged parts of the wrist bones are removed and swapped with artificial components under wrist joint replacement surgery.

● Ankle Replacement

To treat the ankles affected by severe arthritis, a surgical procedure called Total Ankle Arthroplasty (TAA) is used by orthopedic foot and ankle specialist surgeons.

● Finger Replacement

Removal of the damaged joint and replacement with an artificial implant of a knuckle joint (MP) and finger joint (PIP) is known as finger replacement surgery. This imitates regular joint function. Releasing pain, restoring joint stability, and mobility are specific goals.

● Total Joint Replacement

An orthopedic procedure in which an arthritic or dysfunctional joint surface, usually in knee or hip, is replaced with a prosthesis is known as Total Joint Replacement (TJR). When severe pain or dysfunction fails to respond to less-invasive therapies, joint replacement surgery is going to be an option.

Joint Replacement Surgical Options:

● Arthroscopy

● Replacement arthroplasty

● Joint Resurfacing

● Osteotomy

● Synovectomy

● Arthrodesis or Fusion

● Total Joint Arthroplasty or Total Joint Replacement (TJR)

● Minimally Invasive TJR

● Joint Revision