Joint replacement treatment is a surgical procedure in which joint surfaces are replaced with artificial materials. A joint replacement can be executed for various reasons, mainly severe joint pain. Joint pain may occur due to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriatic arthritis, or other related conditions.
What is Joint Replacement Surgery?
Joint replacement surgery, also called joint arthroplasty, is the process of removing the damaged joint surfaces of a joint and replacing them with prosthetic (artificial) joint parts. This procedure is typically performed to treat joint area damage due to trauma or arthritis.
Types of Joint Replacement Surgery
There are several joint replacement surgery options, including partial joint replacement surgery, total joint replacement surgery, and hip resurfacing surgery. These procedures are designed to allow patients with joint damage or degeneration to experience relief from pain while restoring mobility.
How Joint Replacement Surgery Works
During joint replacement surgery, the surgeon creates an incision in the joint to access the damaged joint surface. The bone is then removed and replaced with a prosthetic joint part that matches the shape of the remaining joint surface. This process not only restores mobility but also reduces pain.
Signs You Need Joint Replacement Surgery
Since joint replacement provides relief to many people, you should know the signs that your joint pain warrants joint replacement treatment. It's best to address joint problems early before they become debilitating or so severe that they cannot be treated conservatively. Here are four signs you should consider joint replacement treatment:
- Pain: Your joint pain is severe and non-stop, but your doctor keeps prescribing medications that don't work. Medications can mask joint pain by suppressing inflammation, allowing you to continue your regular activities without experiencing too much pain. However, joint pain medications should not be used as a long-term treatment option to mask joint pain symptoms. Instead, joint replacement surgery should be considered once all other non-surgical joint pain treatments have been tried and failed.
- Tired Aches and Pains: If you're having trouble sleeping because you hurt all over, joint replacement surgery may be the solution.
- Limited Mobility: If joint pain is so severe that you can't move or perform everyday activities, joint replacement surgery may be the solution.
- Inflamed Joints: If joint pain is accompanied by swelling, it might be time to talk to your doctor about surgery as an option.
Joint replacement surgery is meant to give your joint back its flexibility and improve joint pain so that it's easier for you to move around and perform your daily routines normally. The surgery can be performed on different joints, including the hip joint, knee joint, shoulder joint, or even your fingers.
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