Arthroplasty
What is Arthroplasty?
Many types of arthritis might affect your joints. The most common reason for arthroplasty is called degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis, which is a loss of the cartilage or cushion in a joint. When medical treatments no longer effectively relieve joint pain and disability, arthroplasty might be the solution. During this process, the surgeon can restore the joint by resurfacing the bones, and a prosthesis (artificial joint) might also be used. Hip, knee, and shoulder replacements are common types of arthroplasty. Joint replacement therapy and arthroplasty are the same procedure, however, the term ‘joint replacement’ often scares people, which is why many surgeons use the term arthroplasty instead. Nowadays, most arthroplasty surgeries are minimally invasive, during which the doctor only has to make small incisions for removing and replacing damaged joint materials.
What happens during arthroplasty surgery?
Arthroplasty surgery might be done while you are asleep under general anesthesia or while you are awake using spinal anesthesia. Each procedure may vary but the general process is the following:
- You will be asked to change your clothing to a gown.
- The surgeon might require the insertion of an intravenous (IV) line to your arm or hand.
- When you will be already on the operating table, a urinary catheter might be inserted as well.
- The anesthesiologist will continuously monitor your vital signs, such as your breathing, heart rate and blood pressure.
- The surgical site will be made more accessible by removing excessive hair and cleansed with antiseptic solution.
- The surgeon will make an incision, then repair or remove the damaged parts of the joint.
- The surgeon will close the incision by stiches or surgical staples, then apply a sterile bandage or dressing.
What is recovery like after arthroplasty surgery?
People who have had arthroplasty surgery can still have active, functional lifestyles.
- Arthroplasty usually needs an in-hospital stay for a maximum of two days.
- Beginning to move the new joint after surgery is crucial part of the recovery.
- After surgery, you can help to speed up your recovery by doing any exercises set by the physiotherapist as these will help you to regain a full range of movement and flexibility.
- To be able to participate in exercise program, your pain will be controlled with pain relieving medication.
- At home, you need to be careful about keeping the surgical area clean and dry.
- During a follow-up visit, the stiches or staples will be removed.
What may help during recovery?
- Raising the knees above the hips by using firm pillows.
- Proper handrails in the shower or along the stairs.
- Having useful items when dressing or wearing shoes, such as using long-handled shoe horn or dressing stick.
- In order to support the position of the knees to be above the hips, choose a chair with firm seat cushion and firm back with two arms when sitting.
- Avoiding aspirin or other pain-relieving medicine that may increase the chance of bleeding.
- If you notice fever, chills, redness, swelling, bleeding or numbness, report it to your doctor immediately.
Patient Stories
Dr. Ahmed Gadallah has extensive experience in arthroplasty. Due to his innovative approach, he completed dozens of operations successfully.