Arthroplasty

About the Procedure

Arthroplasty is a procedure by which a joint in the body is replaced by one or more prostheses in order to restore functionality or reduce pain of use in patients who have sustained some form of damage or malfunction in one of their joints. While the specifics vary greatly depending upon the joint being worked on, the procedure generally calls for the removal of damaged bone and cartilage from the the surgical region and then replacing some or all of the interacting bone surfaces with prostheses designed to work together in a similar fashion as the originals. These prostheses are most commonly made of a combination of metals such as cobalt chromium and other solids such as ceramic depending on the needs of the patient.

What to Know Before the Procedure

While technological advancements have made most forms of arthroplasty fairly common it is still a reasonably complex type of surgery that must be tailored fairly specifically to the needs of the patient. Factors such as age, weight, bone density, bone structure, overall bone health, level of damage and the presence of allergies and/or sensitivities to the materials used in the prostheses must be considered in advance when one is looking to have any form of arthroplasty performed. In all cases, it is best to consult with your doctor about how these factors may impact your surgery.

Another consideration to be made is that in many cases, it is possible to have a partial variation on the procedure done, in which only one of the interacting surfaces is replaced or augmented. These types of procedures generally have quicker recovery times and will generally cost a patient less than the full replacement procedure would have. It may also be the case that certain health factors in the patient render a full replacement infeasible or outright impossible. In these cases, a partial replacement may be the only option available to explore.

What to Know After the Procedure

Depending on the particulars of the procedure you have had performed, you will have varying recovery times. Some forms of arthroplasty can result in the loss of use of a joint or appendage for extended periods of time, while other forms allow for at least limited functionality within 24 hours of the procedure being completed. It is best to consult with your doctor on exactly how much functionality you will have over what time frame after surgery so you can plan accordingly, as even simple procedures may require assistance until you are fully rehabilitated.

Part of the proper care of your new joint will included regular physical therapy that is tailored to both the kind of surgery you have had and your particular needs. This therapy serves 2 main purposes: to teach you how to move your new joint without risk of dislocation, and to ensure the surrounding muscles heal from the surgery and return to full strength. The length and intensity of this therapy can vary greatly depending on the joint that was replaced and the individual's needs. Typically, your doctor will make recommendations to your physical therapist regarding what is most prudent for you.

If you Need to Travel Outside of your Local Hospital

Even though there are many surgeons qualified to perform the procedure in both domestic and international territories, results will be best when going to a surgeon who performs the surgery frequently. Studies show that arthroplastic procedures performed by experienced surgeons have much lower chances of dislocation in the early months after surgery. While the costs associated with the actual surgery are lower if one travels internationally, keep in mind that certain forms of arthroplasty can make extended travel very challenging and this should be considered when deciding where to have the procedure performed. In both cases, be sure to allow for sufficient recovery time after the surgery and before further travel is attempted.