Severe and persistent joint pain can be frustrating, especially if you are using medications and other forms of treatment like physical therapy. When you don’t experience an improvement, it might be time to turn to joint replacement surgery. Venice joint replacement surgery offers relief and improves your symptoms to enable you to live a more fulfilling and active life.
Some of the most common materials that make prosthetics or artificial joints include ceramic, metal, plastic, or a combination of several materials. Common joint replacement surgeries include knee and hip replacement surgeries. Other surgeries include wrist, shoulders, ankles, hand, and feet joint surgeries.
How to prepare for the surgery
During your initial consultation, your doctor will discuss preparation guidelines to ensure the procedure and recovery run smoothly. After reviewing your medical history, your doctor will check your current medications and ask you to stop smoking until your recovery.
Other things to consider before joint replacement surgery is making your home comfortable and asking for help if possible. For example, you can arrange a one-level living arrangement, especially if you have had knee or hip surgery. Consider creating a clear walking path to avoid tripping or falling, and install rails in your bathroom to offer support when you take a bath.
What happens during the procedure?
Before the surgery, your surgeon will administer general anesthesia depending on the joint your doctor will replace. They will remove the damaged cartilage and joint and replace it with the prosthetic component before stitching you up. The prosthesis imitates the shape and normal function of your joint.
After the procedure, your doctor will require you to stay in the hospital for 1-2 days and observe your response. Afterward, you can go home to recover.
Recovery
Your recovery time will vary subject to the size of the area under treatment. You will have some swelling and pain, but your doctor will give you medications to offer relief. If you have undergone hip surgery, your surgeon will require you to practice certain habits to avoid affecting the treatment area. Ensure to arrange transport from the hospital and someone to help you around your home.
After hip surgery, you should avoid bending at the waist while seated or crossing your legs at the knee, especially for the first six weeks. Avoid extreme activities that might involve heavy lifting or strain your hip joint. You can resume office-based work after six weeks, but if you lift heavy objects at work, you might have to wait a little longer.
After knee surgery, you will use assistive devices like a walking frame or crutches to support yourself. After six weeks, you can stop using the assistive devices and resume lightweight activities. It might take more than three months for the swelling to subside.
If persistent joint pain worsens with time, visit 360 Orthopedics for joint replacement surgery. The available orthopedics will examine your condition and discuss the benefits of replacing the affected joint. Call or schedule your appointment online to improve the quality of your life.